Open Writing

Why can’t humanity take a leaf out of the wildlife’s book? Do we really need wars to survive? Is it pure greed that takes over our lives and makes us what we are today? There was at least seven different species of birds in my garden and they all got on so well together. So why can’t the different species of humans do the same?

Wouldn’t the world be a brilliant place to live in, if everyone joined together, in peace and harmony, for the sake of our children’s future?

When I was a soldier in Hong Kong, we had cause one time to visit Lan-tau Island. This is one of the remote Islands just off the coast of Kowloon. Most of the island is jungle and hills. There are small villages dotted around the perimeters of the jungle. As we trekked along in the blistering heat, sweat coming from every pore in our half-clothed bodies, we approached one of these villages. At first, we expected the inhabitants to be scared of us and either run or hide. I was surprised to find the opposite. These natives were really friendly.

As we approached, they came out to greet us. The villagers could see that we were uncomfortable with the heat that bore down upon our bodies from the sun that shone high in the clear blue sky.

They greeted us with wooden bowls of what first appeared hot water with green leaves floating in them. At first, we were reluctant to take them, as we weren’t sure what it was they were offering us. The villagers were amused at us, but realised that if they had been placed in the same situation, they too would have been wary. A small boy, standing in front of me, noticed my hesitancy and immediately took a drink from the bowl. On seeing this, I took the bowl from him and took a sip of the clear liquid, and it tasted really nice, it was mint tea! Once the other soldiers around me saw tat I was enjoying it, they too took the bowls that were proffered and began to drink.

Within minutes or so, we were no longer sweating! The friendly villagers escorted us to their homes and offered us rice. We did realise that they were offering us food that they had worked hard all year for and would probably have to last them until the next crops were ready. They were completely unselfish in their manner and nothing was too much for them. One of the villagers even gave one of the soldiers a herbal medicine for his stomach pain from which he was suffering and the medicine helped the soldier.

For their selflessness, we gave them lots of our rations and explained what they had to do to them to make them edible. The expressions of gratitude on their faces told it all. We also helped them with some repairs to their homes.

I was a little sad when the time came for us to leave these friendly inhabitants of the Island.

This in a way goes to prove the point I am trying to make. If the wildlife can live among each other in harmony then from my experience of the villagers of that remote island, then, why can’t the rest of the world do the same? It doesn’t cost anything to be friendly.

Time for a Cuppa!

If you think my stories are true, then they probably are.

If you think my stories are fiction, then just relax and enjoy the tales.

mikeco158@btinternet.com

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