Chrysanthemum 2022

Chrysanthemum is a young mouse who cherishes her unique name, even as her classmates tease her about it. The main taunting comes from three girls—Jo, Rita, and Victoria—who joke that being named after a flower is unusual and that Chrysanthemum’s name is so long it barely fits on a name tag. Feeling sad, she confides in her loving parents, who soften the sting with her favorite meals and a game of Parcheesi, while her father quietly reads books on child psychology to understand how best to support her.

One day, the class meets their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle, who is expecting a baby and is guiding them toward an upcoming musical. Chrysanthemum is assigned to be a daisy, which leads Jo, Rita, and Victoria to tease her once more. Yet Mrs. Twinkle notices something the girls miss: her own first name, Delphinium, is also long, floral, and nearly as difficult to fit on a name tag. This observation gives the bullies pause, and they begin to admire Chrysanthemum’s name instead, even choosing flower-inspired nicknames for themselves. With this shift in attitude, Chrysanthemum’s confidence slowly returns, and she feels seen and valued again.

In a touching coda, Mrs. Twinkle eventually gives birth to a daughter who is named Chrysanthemum, underscoring the story’s gentle message about individuality, resilience, and the warmth of family and understanding. Throughout the tale, the narrative remains grounded in kindness, showing how simple acts of empathy and perspective can transform hurtful teasing into a sense of belonging and pride.