In Afghan culture, flowers are considered objects of great beauty from which pleasure is to be derived. They are often used to decorate written materials. This laquer ware book cover from the nineteenth century is decorated with tulips, roses, and carnations. These same flowers appear in the decorations of contemporary letters sent by Afghan citizens to Radio Azadi. The two letters shown here, one about love and the other requesting that a song be played, are from students who are well aware of the floral tradition.