Man and nature are interdependent. Everything we need for our survival comes from nature. Just like a mother, nature gives us food, water and air, the sun, the rain, the beautiful landscape, mountains, rivers; plants are all gifts of nature. It is thus our duty and necessity to look after nature. In turn, nature will take care of us and our nature generations.

Our world

Suresh’s father was reading the newspaper. `Do you know today is `Environment Day/?’ he said to Suresh.

`What is that father?’’ he asked.

``On this day we remind ourselves how important nature if for us,’’ father said. ``Who is nature?’’ Suresh asked. His father laughed and said, ``nature is not a person like us but it gives us many things. Come with me and I will explain.’’ saying this he took his son to the garden.

``Now close your nose and mouth with your hand, how do you feel?’’ Suresh did so but quickly took his hand away.

``No, I cannot do this.’’

``Well this is because you cannot breathe in air. And who gives you air?’’ father asked.

Suresh did not know. His father then explained, ``Plants give us air. And nature gives us these plants. When we cut down trees, break branches and throw garbage here and there, we harm ourselves.’’

Suresh understood. He then pointed out to an empty spot in this garden and said, ``Father, let’s plant a tree there.’’ his father happily agreed.

``How do plants survive?’’ Suresh asked.

``Plants need water to live. Look at the plants in Mr. Sharma’s garden. They have gone for a vacation and the plants are dying.’’

Suresh realized that Mr. Sharma’s garden did not look good with dry plants. He then looked around his own garden and was happy to see many beautiful flowers. Colorful butterflies were flying over them. He ran to catch them and wanted to put them in a jar.

``Do not that! Come here,’’ his father said.

``Why? They are so beautiful!’’, Suresh cried.

``They are, but they look even more beautiful in their natural surroundings. Let them fly. Just observe them.’’ he continued, ``Now we will water the plants’’. But there was no water in the tap.

``See- this way, I tell you not to waste water. It is so precious to us. Even our plants would due without water. Then there will be no butterflies in our garden,’’ his father said sadly.

Suresh now understood the importance of nature. He promised to take care and love Mother Nature.