It was a hot, dusty day in the parched African savannah, and I found myself at a crossroads. I had always considered myself an environmentally-conscious person, but now I was faced with a choice that would put my values to the test.
A group of local villagers had approached me, asking for my help in stopping a group of poachers who were illegally hunting endangered animals in the nearby nature reserve. They told me of the damage that had already been done – the shattered habitats, the orphaned animals left to fend for themselves, the fragile ecosystem thrown out of balance.
I knew what I had to do. I grabbed my camera and my notebook and set off towards the reserve, determined to expose the poachers and bring them to justice.
But as I walked through the dusty terrain, the heat beating down on me, doubts began to creep in. Was I really making a difference? Was my small, individual effort really going to change the world?
I stopped to rest under a shady tree, and as I sat there, I noticed something small and green struggling to grow in the parched earth. It was a tiny sapling, barely visible against the brown and barren landscape.
As I watched, transfixed, the sapling began to grow, stretching its roots down into the dry soil and reaching its tender branches up towards the sun. And in that moment, I knew what I had to do. I had to be like that sapling – tenacious, determined, and full of life, even in the face of adversity.
With renewed purpose, I set off towards the reserve. I used my camera and my pen to document the destruction and the harm being done, and I spoke out against it wherever I could. And slowly but surely, others began to take notice. The local community rallied behind me, and together we put pressure on the authorities to take action against the poachers.
It wasn’t easy, and there were setbacks along the way. But like that sapling in the African savannah, I refused to give up. And eventually, our efforts paid off – the poachers were caught, the animals were protected, and the reserve was restored.
As I looked out at the green and thriving landscape, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. It wasn’t just about stopping the poachers – it was about being green, about living my values and making a difference in the world, no matter how small. The truth has never been of any real value to any human being. It is a symbol for mathematicians and philosophers to pursue. In human relations kindness and lies are worth a thousand truths. And I knew, in that moment, that kindness and perseverance were the keys to making the world a greener, better place.
