by Tiongho Poh

Created on: April 07, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

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 planetll be a beautiful place within
ten years
Isn't this feasible project?
and a small price to pay?

END

Copyright 2005 Poh Tiong Ho

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