Hello! Mr. Ork. My Favorite Tree Forum

Transcription

1 Hello Mr. Ork. My Favorite Tree Forum

2 Written by Shigeki Makino Illustrated by Kayoko Makino

3 Wonderful presents gifted by nature Are you aware of wonderful presents gifted by nature? Nature gives us plenty of wonderful presents. You have already received some presents, haven t you? Nature gives comfort and life to everyone. Are we successfully accepting such wonderful presents? One finds nature in fish, in flowers, in insects, in rivers and seas, or in stars far away. In the program of My Favorite Tree, we will try to find nature in a tree. We have many presents provided by trees in our life. Trees are a part of precious nature, and we human beings are deeply involved with trees. Let s find your favorite tree among lots of trees.

4 Observe the tree in spring, summer, autumn and winter, thinking about what the tree is feeling, and you can feel that you are living with the tree in nature. I hope you think about precious nature through observation of your favorite tree, giving thought to soil that supports the tree, insects and birds that come together on the tree, and, with a broader view, a town, a country, and even the earth where the tree grows. Do you want to find your favorite tree?

5 Where do you live, Shiho?

6 I live in Shiga Prefecture with deeply forested mountains and the largest lake in Japan. I walk along path through rice paddies to my elementary school every day.

7 Do you have any favorite tree?

8 Yes. I have a favorite tree. It has many big leaves and acorns, and its trunk is thick. My father made a swing on the tree on my 7th birthday. When I ride the swing, I feel like swinging and swaying with the tree. Mr. Oak is the name of the tree.

9 What do you like about Mr. Oak?

10 Mr. Oak in spring. Mr. Oak in summer. Mr. Oak in autumn. Mr. Oak in winter. Thinking about what the tree feels, I gradually came to like him.

11 Did you look at Mr. Oak in spring, summer, autumn, and winter?

12 Yes. I looked at the tree all through the year, spring through winter. Leaves grew and fell on the ground. Acorns grew and fell on the ground.

13 The tree changed through four seasons. And now I know the tree is alive.

14 Where do you look at the tree?

15 If you look at the tree from afar, you can see its shape and size. When wind blows, branches sway and leaves twinkle.

16

17 If you look at the tree from near, you can see bumps and dents on its surface and shapes of leaves. Ants go straight up, and beetles come together to suck sap.

18 Do you look at the tree from far and near?

19 Yes. I can see different things. When I look at the tree from afar, I see one thing, and another from near. And touching is surprising. When I touched the tree on a winter day, I felt it warm

20 Do you see what the tree feels?

21 Yes, but you cannot hear what the tree feels with ears. When I am thinking about what the tree feels, I come to understand what he feels little by little. I can follow what the tree feels.

22 Mr. Oak in spring

23 Yellowish green leaves grow from beads on twigs. So many soft yellowish leaves come out. So many birds perch on the tree.

24 Mr. Oak in summer

25 The tree has many green leaves. Leaves become a little bit harder. At night beetles come to the tree and fireflies settle on the tree. Some leaves are eaten by worms.

26 Mr. Oak in autumn

27 Strong winds blow in autumn, and branches rock and roll. It is surprising that the tree is that supple. Winter draws near, leaves turn to brown.

28 Mr. Oak in winter

29 Leaves fall one by one and the tree looks cold. If you take a good look at it, however, you will see a lot of beads on twigs. Leaves grow out from the beads in spring.

30 What do you think after looking at the tree from spring through winter?

31 I know Mr. Oak is living with all his might. He lives with many creatures. I like to live with Mr. Oak. I want you to live a long time, Mr. Oak

32 "Thank you. I really appreciate your feeling that way. Let's keep living together."

33 "Oh"

34 Do you have your "my favorite tree? We live with many people. We live with many animals. We live with many plants. We are all living things. We are living in harmony on the Earth.

35 Why don't you live together with a tree of your choice like Shiho? When you feel you are living among many lives, your heart will warm. When your heart warms, please think about trees, earth, mountains, sky, rivers, worms, birds, and people through your favorite tree. Please talk about them to other people in your words. Friends will listen to your talk and feel their hearts warm. Now, let's look for your favorite tree in your neighbourhood.

36 See you"