The most important group of wise men were assembled in the outskirts of the city. These were really wise , because they had dedicated their lives to contemplate, admire and appreciate the harmony of this world. The reason of the meeting was that in the last hundred years, the destruction of Nature had hastened and they wanted to build a monument to call the attention of everybody. They wanted to deliver the message that it was necessary to take care of the Earth and Nature. Not only with comments but with actions. It was necessary to show that there was a feeling, a commitment, to that purpose in order to have a change. Since the wise men were admitting that it was increasing the damage, maltreatment, extinction and garbage. Because tomorrow and later: what would we have left as a planet, as home ? Then, the wise men decided to do a contest in order to motivate young people and adults, to live in a world of peace and harmony with Nature. It was agreed that the one who could fulfill the requirements, would be recognized as a wise person compromised with the real life. It happened that many went to the contest and delivered big speeches since they wanted to be recognized as an authority in the matter. It may have been that to be called wise man captivated them more than the project per se. And many brought sculptures, poems, poetry; they all were compromised somehow but there was always shining in some of them, the conceited desire to be chosen like the best. And, of course, this contest was very unique and some of the contestants were almost ready to wear the crown. Many came with medals, horses, musical bands, to the point that the spirit of the contest was somewhat lost. Because it was a large field but there were a lot of papers, bottles, bags, newspapers, leftovers, vehicles; we could say that 30% was a big fiasco. And on top, another group was formed and they were protesting against the first group. Overall, the convention lasted three days and the damage caused was not repaired for thirty days. All the expositions were reviewed and the comments were good but many persons were not consistent since there was one who spoke with beautiful words but was wearing leather. And he said: "Let's love the animals"There was a committee of refined ladies who promised to contribute many millions but were wearing fur coats. Then, many miners, people in the construction business and people whose business was to cut down trees came with the idea of collaborating with money but with the purpose of receiving some recognition. Truly, there was nobody to pick but the organizers trying to solve this problem, said that there was a draw and to solve the situation they would accept another person, who was not recommended, who did not have millions. Then, they looked for and found another person. There were two contestants who were very rich, were highly recommended and they had their fans. And one of then was asked." What do you feel in front of so much damage caused to our Nature?" And the man said:"Our corporation will contribute millions for the investigation of the forestation and the study of all the beautiful wood and species, in order to establish a self supportive mechanism that assures to these species, a habitat, reservations zoos, scientific investigation and development." He received some applause. Another contestant seemed very philosophical, very enthusiastic and said:"The first thing to do is for man not to mix with Nature so we will build a big wall and we will bring an army that will take care of the area and they will fine or sent to jail the ones who dump trash or make a mess." He also added: "If we are not careful, we will be left without a planet." He had some approval.The turn came for the third one and they asked him again but since he did not seem to be an important person, they just asked: "What do you feel?" And he said: "I see Nature and all her inhabitants as my father, mother, brothers, even more, I see Nature as my heart, hands, eyes, feet. In the mountains, I see my grandparents and hopes, which I will reach someday by virtue of my faith on life; in the rivers, I see the satiated thirst of men, women and children; I see the purity, the gentleness of my mother breast feeding me; in the earth, I see my home, the womb of my mother, the children being born, I see the blooming of life." He had not finished talking and they interrupted him because his speech was very different than the others. They hurried him, even more, they mistreated him, saying: "Be specific, say something and finish." And they asked him again: "What do you feel?"And he answered: " When I see my mother suffering and her children dying, I feel sadness, a very deep sadness, as a root that is withering, and I cry when I see a cut down tree thinking about how many wasted years. If you want me to sum up my feelings, I will say that I feel a tear in the deepest part of my being." After he said those words, the public immediately took sides, like the created interests, the laboratories companies, who did not understand, but the natural persons, gave him a continuous ovation.It was so much that this brought an end to the tie and a monument was chosen, that showed a man raising a withered, dried flower to the sky and he was surrounded by cut down trees, dead animals and the man had many tears in his face. There was also an inscription that said: " Let's never reach the point of having to cry for what we have lost that will never come back" And next to the monument, they planted what would be a forest, that also had another inscription: " You are welcome, man, because you are one with Nature. Let's live in harmony and peace. Let's serve one to the other, because that is the path to eternity." And in this way, a great truth was found and it was recognized great authority and wisdom in this natural, unaffected man.
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Author: Oscar Basurto Carbonell
