Introduction: This story was written for the Maryknoll program, DISCOVER YOUR NEIGHBOR, for the September/October 2019 issue called CARE FOR CREATION: AIR HAS NO BORDERS; this story is published for grades K-5. www.discoveryourneighbor.org
The story is based on the article Caring for All Creatures, Maryknoll Sisters and Panamanians work to preserve Darien rainforest, written by Maria-Pia Negro Chin; published in Maryknoll magazine, September/October 2019 issue.
STORY: Only a few trees grew near Edwin’s house. There were no longer many birds and insects. The garden soil was poor. The air was bad, the water polluted. Papa said it had once been a lush rainforest until workers cut down thousands of trees. “The land changed when the trees were gone,” he said.
But today, Edwin and his little sister Iris were going to a rainforest! They went to the Pastoral Center where their mother worked at the greenhouse.
Now Edwin, Iris and Sister Joji stood under towering trees. Looking up, Edwin saw a flash of bright blue with black. “What kind of bird is that?” he wondered.
“See its legs? It’s a red-legged honeycreeper,” said Sister Joji.
Iris shouted, “I hear a woodpecker!”
Suddenly there came a roaring sound so deafening and scary that both children moved closer to Sister Joji. She explained, “That’s a howler monkey. It is one of the loudest animals on earth!”
“Where is it?” Edwin asked, looking around.
“High in a tree, probably a mile away from us.”
While the monkey howled, they noticed a colorful grasshopper with big red eyes. Sister Joji pointed out other creatures. “They are all gifts—the insects, the birds, the animals, the trees and plants—even the soil,” said Sister Joji.
Iris frowned. “Who from?” “God,” Edwin said. “God made everything! Even us.”
They stood together. God’s love was all around them. Then Iris said,” I wish we had this at our house.”
“Papa said our house was near the rainforest but people cut down the trees,” Edwin asked.
Sister Joji said, “I saw the machines chopping, chopping, chopping. I heard the great trees crashing down. Day after day, I counted the log trucks, about 15 each day. They carried off our beautiful trees.” Edwin imagined the sound of the trees falling.
“That changed everything,” she said. “Twenty different kinds of orchids can grow on just one tree! Now they have nowhere to grow. What can the howler monkeys eat? And how can the grasshoppers and honeycreepers live? Many animals left or died.”
“But some are right here, now,” Iris said hopefully.
“Mama said it was you, Sister Melinda and others who planted these trees so the plants and animals could come back,” Edwin said.
Sister Joji nodded. “We have made a small rain forest again.”
Iris spread out her arms, shouting, “Thank you, God, who made all this! Thank you for people who bring back the trees and animals! Amen!”
Edwin said, “I am going to plant trees! I will learn how to take care of our earth! Then I will teach others. And they will teach others too!”
Now Sister Joji prayed, “Thank you, God our Creator, for all creation! And thank you for children like Edwin and Iris who will care for it!”
“Amen!” Iris shouted Edwin smiled, once again looking up into the treetops.
“Mama said it was you, Sister Melinda and others who planted these trees so the plants and animals could come back,” Edwin said.
Sister Joji nodded. “We have made a small rain forest again.”
Iris spread out her arms, shouting, “Thank you, God, who made all this! Thank you for people who bring back the trees and animals! Amen!”
Edwin said, “I am going to plant trees! I will learn how to take care of our earth! Then I will teach others. And they will teach others too!”
Now Sister Joji prayed, “Thank you, God our Creator, for all creation! And thank you for children like Edwin and Iris who will care for it!”
“Amen!” Iris shouted.
Edwin smiled, once again looking up into the treetops.