Legend of the Poinsetta

There was once a poor, young, Mexican girl named Pepita. She had no presents to give to the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve service. As she walked, her cousin Pedro tried to cheer her up. He told her he was sure even the smallest gift would make Jesus happy, as long as she loved him. Thinking now of what to give him, Pepita picked a handful of weeds from the side of the road. Embarrassed, she walked up to the altar in church. As she placed the weeds by the nativity scene, they suddenly burst into beautiful red flowers. Ever since, the flowers have been known as Flores de Noche Buena, or Poinsettas.