--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She knelt on the walkway, and the plants…" description: "\"“She knelt on the walkway, and the plants bunched around her, each of them calling out their name: the philodendron was Dendy (he), the ivy was Risa (t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/sarah-beth-durst-10639_gardening_she-knelt-on-the-walkway-and-the-plants_1958848.jpg" --- # She knelt on the walkway, and the plants bunched around… ![“She knelt on the walkway, and the plants bunched around her, each of them calling out their name: the philodendron was Dendy (he), the ivy was Risa (they), the orchid Amina (she), the calla lily Viria (she), the thistle Tirna (they), the fireweed Nif (he), the wax myrtle Ree (he), the prickly pear…” quote by Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/sarah-beth-durst-10639_gardening_she-knelt-on-the-walkway-and-the-plants_1958848.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/sarah-beth-durst-10639_gardening_she-knelt-on-the-walkway-and-the-plants_1958848.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/339/sarah-beth-durst-10639_gardening_she-knelt-on-the-walkway-and-the-plants_1958848.jpg) > ““She knelt on the walkway, and the plants bunched around her, each of them calling out their name: the philodendron was Dendy (he), the ivy was Risa (they), the orchid Amina (she), the calla lily Viria (she), the thistle Tirna (they), the fireweed Nif (he), the wax myrtle Ree (he), the prickly pear Hosha (they), the flytrap Sut (he), the morning glory Zyndia (she), the fern Mirr (they)... She committed as many names as possible to memory.”” [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She names each plant with a gendered pronoun, showing deep connection and reverence for nature’s diversity. **In simple terms:** Naming plants shows respect for nature’s variety. Key Takeaway Honor and remember the individuality of living things. Themes nature respect diversity connection Mood wonderful intimate Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - gardening - education - creative writing - environmental activism Key Concepts Ecology anthropomorphism Questions to Reflect On - What does naming teach us about relationship? - How can we respect nature without anthropomorphizing? A Different Perspective Assigning gender may impose human constructs on nature. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fern/) [Gardening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gardening/) [He-she](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he-she-80278/) [Lily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lily/) [Morning glory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning-glory/) [Plants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plants/) [Plants Bunched](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plants-bunched-3222476/) [Pronouns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pronouns/) [Risa Orchid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risa-orchid-3222478/) [Sentient beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentient-beings/) [They](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/they/) [Walkway Plants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walkway-plants-3222477/) ## Related quotes > [“We obviously both have our pasts, but that’s not important right now. I don’t have to know every bad thing you ever did in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-warren/we-obviously-both-have-our-pasts-but-that-s-not-important-right-now-i/) [Michelle Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-warren/) > [“He treats me with respect; he opens doors for me, makes me laugh, and comforts me when I cry. He owes me nothing, yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-warren/he-treats-me-with-respect-he-opens-doors-for-me-makes-me-laugh-and/) [Michelle Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-warren/) > [“Every second I’m with you, I feel like a better person. You make me believe it’s possible that I can move on from every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-warren/every-second-i-m-with-you-i-feel-like-a-better-person-you-make-me/) [Michelle Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-warren/) > [“One side of the road: She said to his Him: You are the man I prayed for Another side of the road: He said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhavik-sarkhedi/one-side-of-the-road-she-said-to-his-him-you-are-the-man-i-prayed-for/) [Bhavik Sarkhedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhavik-sarkhedi/) > [“What makes you different, makes you exceptional, Fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-swanson/what-makes-you-different-makes-you-exceptional-fern/) [Kara Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-swanson/) > [In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared out by fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which-must-be-cleared-out-by-fire/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Fern has Ugly Girl Syndrome.” Bailey said, out of the blue. “Also known as UGS … She grew up thinking she was ugly. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/fern-has-ugly-girl-syndrome-bailey-said-out-of-the-blue-also-known-as/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [Andy: Look at our love fern! It's dead! Ben: No it's only sleeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-hudson/andy-look-at-our-love-fern-it-s-dead-ben-no-it-s-only-sleeping/) [Kate Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-hudson/) > [I had heard the old Indian legend about the red fern. How a little Indian boy and girl were lost in a blizzard and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/i-had-heard-the-old-indian-legend-about-the-red-fern-how-a-little/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [“Alles nahe werde fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alles-nahe-werde-fern/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Schon ist alle Nähe fern”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/schon-ist-alle-n-he-fern/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Being on Twitter is like having a fern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/being-on-twitter-is-like-having-a-fern/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“News flash, Fern Taylor! Everything has changed! You are beautiful, I am hideous, you don’t need me anymore, but I sure as hell need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/news-flash-fern-taylor-everything-has-changed-you-are-beautiful-i-am/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [“The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-cactus-thrives-in-the-desert-while-the-fern-thrives-in-the/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“The road climbs curving out of wet ground thick with cedars, and up onto a plateau meadow where Jersey cows, beautiful as deer, watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner-crossing-to-safety/the-road-climbs-curving-out-of-wet-ground-thick-with-cedars-and-up/) [Wallace Stegner Crossing To Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner-crossing-to-safety/) ## More by Sarah Beth Durst > [“I can't be bound by a past self I don't remember.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/i-can-t-be-bound-by-a-past-self-i-don-t-remember/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“She'd always been a little excitable, a little more passionate about books than your average person, but she was supposed to be -- she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/she-d-always-been-a-little-excitable-a-little-more-passionate-about/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“ 'Hubba-Hubba' never slips out," Zeke said. "You selected those words with deliberate intent, and I question your commitment to the respectable use of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/hubba-hubba-never-slips-out-zeke-said-you-selected-those-words-with/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“My manly strength will not allow me to choose a less unyielding material," Matt said. "I have rocks for muscles. You fear my strength.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/my-manly-strength-will-not-allow-me-to-choose-a-less-unyielding/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Whether you made your choices with your eyes open or closed, they’re made. It’s not time to regret them; it’s time to live with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/whether-you-made-your-choices-with-your-eyes-open-or-closed-they-re/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Both instances, sweet. Also stupid, which pretty much defined Evan: sweet and stupid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/both-instances-sweet-also-stupid-which-pretty-much-defined-evan-sweet/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Impressive vocabulary," Korbyn said. "I feel as though I should take notes." "I think she's making them up," Liyana said. "Half of them are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/impressive-vocabulary-korbyn-said-i-feel-as-though-i-should-take/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Last period of the day was new gym class. It was her only class that didn't include Evan, which was a relief. She should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/last-period-of-the-day-was-new-gym-class-it-was-her-only-class-that/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“To you,” he said, “I surrender my heart and soul.” She rolled her eyes. “Very romantic, considering you have neither.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/to-you-he-said-i-surrender-my-heart-and-soul-she-rolled-her-eyes-very/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“A unicorn stepped onto the path. Kiela gasped. Caz breathed, "Whoa." It was like moonlit water, so bright that tears sprang into Kiela's eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/a-unicorn-stepped-onto-the-path-kiela-gasped-caz-breathed-whoa-it-was/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“He also looked very handsome, even though there was a smear of dirt on his gold-hued cheek that she very much wanted to wipe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/he-also-looked-very-handsome-even-though-there-was-a-smear-of-dirt-on/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Across the water, she saw a herd of merhorses rise and fall with the waves. Her breath caught in her throat. Half horse and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/across-the-water-she-saw-a-herd-of-merhorses-rise-and-fall-with-the/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Glaring at the unicorn silhouette, she decided she hated coincidences. Or cosmic signs. Whichever it was. She felt as if the universe were laughing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/glaring-at-the-unicorn-silhouette-she-decided-she-hated-coincidences/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“Imagine that it's sugar," Korbyn said. 'You're riding across candy.' "Salt can never be sugar," Fennik said. "We should talk about the definition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/imagine-that-it-s-sugar-korbyn-said-you-re-riding-across-candy-salt/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) > [“You do realize that you are addressing the emperor of the Crescent Empire." "And you are addressing a free woman of the desert. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/you-do-realize-that-you-are-addressing-the-emperor-of-the-crescent/) [Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) [Explore all 64 Sarah Beth Durst quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/) ## More Fern quotes > [“The road climbs curving out of wet ground thick with cedars, and up onto a plateau meadow where Jersey cows, beautiful as deer, watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner-crossing-to-safety/the-road-climbs-curving-out-of-wet-ground-thick-with-cedars-and-up/) [Wallace Stegner Crossing To Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner-crossing-to-safety/) > [“The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-cactus-thrives-in-the-desert-while-the-fern-thrives-in-the/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“News flash, Fern Taylor! Everything has changed! You are beautiful, I am hideous, you don’t need me anymore, but I sure as hell need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/news-flash-fern-taylor-everything-has-changed-you-are-beautiful-i-am/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [Being on Twitter is like having a fern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/being-on-twitter-is-like-having-a-fern/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“Schon ist alle Nähe fern”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/schon-ist-alle-n-he-fern/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Alles nahe werde fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alles-nahe-werde-fern/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had heard the old Indian legend about the red fern. How a little Indian boy and girl were lost in a blizzard and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/i-had-heard-the-old-indian-legend-about-the-red-fern-how-a-little/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [Andy: Look at our love fern! It's dead! Ben: No it's only sleeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-hudson/andy-look-at-our-love-fern-it-s-dead-ben-no-it-s-only-sleeping/) [Kate Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-hudson/) > [“Fern has Ugly Girl Syndrome.” Bailey said, out of the blue. “Also known as UGS … She grew up thinking she was ugly. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/fern-has-ugly-girl-syndrome-bailey-said-out-of-the-blue-also-known-as/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [In neglected fields the fern grows, which must be cleared out by fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-neglected-fields-the-fern-grows-which-must-be-cleared-out-by-fire/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“What makes you different, makes you exceptional, Fern.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kara-swanson/what-makes-you-different-makes-you-exceptional-fern/) [Kara Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kara-swanson/) > [I have always believed it is not enough just to wear the silver fern and I do not regret pushing myself to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurel-hubbard/i-have-always-believed-it-is-not-enough-just-to-wear-the-silver-fern/) [Laurel Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurel-hubbard/) > [“Fern's never had very good luck with animals. She smothers them with affection and care and they thank her by croaking. Fern hasn't figured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/fern-s-never-had-very-good-luck-with-animals-she-smothers-them-with/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) > [I'm sure the red fern has grown and has completely covered the two little mounds. I know it is still there, hiding its secret…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/i-m-sure-the-red-fern-has-grown-and-has-completely-covered-the-two/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [“Give me your mouth, Fern. Please. Make it all go away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-harmon/give-me-your-mouth-fern-please-make-it-all-go-away/) [Amy Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-harmon/) [Browse all 18 Fern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fern/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She knelt on the walkway, and the plants bunched around her, each of them calling out their name: the philodendron was Dendy (he), the ivy was Risa (they), the orchid Amina (she), the calla lily Viria (she), the thistle Tirna (they), the fireweed Nif (he), the wax myrtle Ree (he), the prickly pear Hosha (they), the flytrap Sut (he), the morning glory Zyndia (she), the fern Mirr (they)... 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