William Blake's poem, Ah Sunflower has haunted me since I first read it as an undergraduate.
This story remains as true to the spirit of Blake and his poem as possible.
Although the tone of the story begins in traditional fairytale form, the allegorical nature of the tale becomes quickly apparent.
The main theme of this story, personal choice, is a unique interpretation of Blake's poem, and it works.
If Blake had intended to turn this poem into a short story, I believe this is the story he would have written.