Of the Plants and Us...

I have always loved the green. Since I was a kid, as a Boy Scouts we would learn the name of different plants and its uses. So whenever we went camping we know what to use to make the environment of our camping site comfortable. We would always care for the plants and animals and insects that we knew are around us all the time whenever we camp in the wood. We would never cut tree or shrub unless we need to and only did so to make some makeshift gadgets and items for the camp. We would often collect dried wood for our campfire. And when we camp near the beach we would collect dried drift woods to use as stool or for the campfire. I soon learned that nature always has a way of giving back to us which in turn made our camping stay such a wonderful experience.

So when I bought this small house in Ampang Jaya I decided that I must have a small jungle in front of my house. And because the space was limited I planted various greens in front of my patio and these not only gave shades but also give me that greens look that I love to see. Over the years my little garden matured and I began to see small animals and insects start to come and go as it please. Birds would chirp on the branches and at time make wonderful melody as it jumps from branch to branch. The Bougainvillea that I had planted now cover my porch and would bloomed throughout the year adding color to the small jungle in front of my house. To get some wonderful aroma from the flowers I planted a Kenanga tree, its yellow flowers bloom throughout the years. Folks would stop by to ask for the flowers and I would readily tell them to just to plug it away. And to make it easy for folks to take the Kenanga flower when I am not around, I decided to wakaf [for public use] whatever flowers that are out-front or outside my fence to all. So if I am not around folks are free to take the flowers for their own use. It is my way of giving back to the society and I felt good about it. As I have said in my previous article, my little garden has become an ecosystem of sort. Above is an image of the little jungle in front of my house, a scene that I would see every morning as I opened the front door. Indeed a refreshing scene every morning. In the cool of the morning I often could see birds chirping and that elusive brown squirrel come to have its daily meals of cut fruits that I had placed on a plate there everyday. Folks, that view of my little jungle have become such a wonderland of nature and I am enjoying it.

All the greens that I am talking about are the plants, the largest species on our planet. Without it all living species including ours could not survive on this planet. Once the greens go earth would be barren and lives would be gone and that includes our species. The reason is simple for it is only the plants that could convert the Sun energy that we need to survive. No other species on this planet could do that. All living species need energy to live and that energy comes from the Sun. And only the plants could convert the sun energy into eatable produce that other species could consume and get that Sun energy. Other species could only get that sun energy by eating the plants or by eating animals that got its energy from the plants. And since all other living species could not convert the sun energy direct, to be able to survive on this planet all living species must eat and drink. Most of all living species need oxygen to survive and in this case again it is the plants that became our source of oxygen. It convert all the carbon dioxide that living things creates and convert it to oxygen that we so need to survive on this planet. So folks do give due respect to the plants that is a vital link of the survival of all species on earth. Without the plants there would be no energy for us and without energy we could not live. It is as simple as that. So the next time you walk on the grass just take a pause and think for a second in that it is these grass that provides the energy for the animals to live, as well provides us with the oxygen. When there are abundant of greens we just took it for granted so please remember that without the plants there would not be any living species on the earth. So do keep the earth green and we would be able to continue to enjoy living on this beautiful blue planet of ours. Have a nice day.