dedicated to all nature lovers at Adland

Planting trees

The man was eighty-year old

He was digging a hole

on the ground

not for his coffin

but for a tree

***

The ignorant passer-by asked:

Grandpa, why are you digging?

“I want to plant a tree.”

Why? You are very old.

What does a tree mean to you?

***

“Our ancestors grew these trees.

You and I enjoy them now.

The barbers used to cut my hair under a tree!

I plant this tree for the next generations

and especially for my children and grand-children.

My friend, we the Chinese

believe we must care for our children

and the grandchildren

and all the descendants.”

***

Old man, not just the Chinese do that

other races also do that.

“Well, my friend,

I didn’t say only the Chinese do that

I believe all races on this beautiful planet

care for their offspring.”

***

Why not?

Even animals do!

Have you ever observed the behaviour

of monkeys, birds and the fish

Surely, we’re better than the animals?

***

I agree with you but

look at our poor planet

We’re short of trees everywhere

If you ever become a prime minister

I hope you would tell the citizens

of your respected country

that when this earth is without trees

the animals and humans would also be gone

I’m not trying to act as

a god

I’m trying to do my little part

so that this earth may last longer.

If each country plants one tree for each

citizen

This planet‘ll be a beautiful place within

ten years

Isn’t this feasible  project?

and a small price to pay?

END

Copyright © 2005 Poh Tiong Ho