| "John," he said rather intensely, "don't talk | | | | destroying vegetation on Earth. The situation |
| about trying.' 'Try' is one of the most | | | | has become critical. Your rain forests are |
| negative words in your language. Whenever | | | | being destroyed,your rivers have become |
| someone says that he is trying, it means that | | | | polluted, and in some areas, you can't |
| there isn't a real commitment. If you speak | | | | breathe the air. People think that it's |
| or think 'try' the subconscious knows you're | | | | someone else's problem, but let me assure |
| not serious. Don't 'try,' just 'do' or don't | | | | you, it is everybody's duty to do something |
| 'do.' " | | | | about it. If the condition is not reversed |
| | | | soon,your children and your children's |
| "Thanks,Gideon," I said, somewhat apologetic | | | | children will suffer. My assignment is to |
| for forgetting the things I knew. | | | | help stop the environmental destruction of |
| | | | your planet. There are a number of us working |
| "You're welcome, John," was his response. | | | | on this. Sometimes it seems hopeless, but |
| "Look at Theo here. He's been having a tough | | | | we'll continue our work. We're seeing some |
| time and,yet,he keeps working against | | | | signs of change, few though they be." |
| tremendous odds. Still, I know he enjoys | | | | |
| doing what he does." | | | | "What can I do to help?" |
| | | | |
| "What do you do, Theo?" I asked. | | | | "Quite a lot, actually," he said. "You and |
| | | | your children can plant some trees in your |
| Theo took a deep breath, looked at me and | | | | yard, and take better care of the ones you |
| replied, "I'm into trees, John." | | | | already have.If everyone did that, you would |
| | | | see remarkable changes.There are many groups |
| "Into trees?" I asked with a foolish | | | | who are trying to save the |
| expression on my face. "Into trees? Exactly | | | | environment.Support some of them. Carefully |
| how do you do that?" | | | | choose the products you use in your home. |
| | | | Paper comes from trees. Support companies |
| "Don't look so surprised," said Theo. "Let me | | | | that use recycled paper. Bring your old |
| explain. | | | | newspapers to a recycling unit. It may take a |
| | | | few more minutes of your time, but it will |
| Your primary source of food on Earth is from | | | | help considerably. Each person can do small |
| those factories that you call 'trees.' For | | | | things to help. And a lot of small things add |
| centuries people have been systematically | | | | up to big results. |