A bleeding heart story

The flower, not the attitude!

It’s a beloved springtime family tradition, starting with my Grandfather, to tell a little story with bleeding heart flowers. Our version isn’t as dramatic as the one based on ancient legend. That one involves unrequited love and suicide, and so is a bit heavy for young kids. I admit that our version lacks drama and doesn’t hang together very well, but the littles love it. Here’s our version of the tale and the instructions. (You won’t hurt my feelings if you prefer the original!) 

You or your grandchild plucks a single bleeding heart flower from the stem. You narrate, "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess."

Holding by the thin edge of the curved "back," pull the pink "rabbits" off the flower. Narrate, "The princess went to play in the woods near her castle, and met two rabbits. They played a long time." Often there's a tiny drop of nectar where each "rabbit" meets the stem. Let the kids enjoy the sweetness.

With the "rabbits" removed, you'll see the princess's petticoat, although I don't make anything of that in our story. Narration instead continues, "As they played, she lost her slippers!" Gently pull the "petticoat" pieces off, revealing two "slippers"!

By pulling off both "slippers," you have revealed the prince. Narrate, "As she looked for her slippers, the princess met a prince. They looked for the slippers together, but couldn’t find them."

Remove the white portions of the "prince" to find the "wand." Narrate, "Suddenly, a fairy godmother appeared! She waved her wand, found the slippers, and the prince and princess and the rabbits lived happily ever after."

"The end."