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ONE day a dragonfly was flying around and came across a butterfly perched on a log. The dragonfly landed right next to the butterfly and blurted out a big HOW DO YOU DO! The butterfly replied "well since you asked I'll certainly tell you. I just can't figure out why people do the things they do. Just look over there at those humans, why do you suppose they are cutting down those old trees. Don't they realize how long it's taken the trees to grow to that size. The trees have lived through many changes on earth, just think of the knowledge that is within them. Don't humans know they need oxygen to breath and that trees supply that oxygen. Without trees humans could not live on this planet. So I ask you dragonfly why would humans even want to cut down their oxygen supply?"

The dragonfly told the butterfly he knew the answer and it's not very pleasant. The butterfly didn't care he had been contemplating it a all day, he had to find out why humans would destroy something that made it possible for them to have the privilege of sharing the earth with all living creatures. So what is the reason dragonfly I must know !

"Well all right, it has to do with money."

"Money, what's money?"

"Money is something of value, and humans get money for cutting down trees."

"But what value can a dead tree have" the butterfly asked, "if it's dead it can't produce oxygen and what is more valuable than the main source of life."

"Well humans seem to have their values a little backwards. They value the things you can make out of trees rather than the trees themselves."

"What do you make with dead trees?" The butterfly was very curious.

The dragonfly went on to explain, "the humans love to make their homes of wood, and if you think of all the humans on this planet, you can see that takes a lot of trees."

"But the humans cant live if they can't breath." The butterfly added.

"Well lets hope they figure that out before it's to late."

"But what if they don't, we all need the oxygen to live."

"Well there are groups of humans who value trees for what they are, and they are trying to educate other humans of their value. It all depends on how many humans are willing to change their value system."

"How should they change their value system;" Replied the butterfly.

"First humans need to start respecting the planet they inhabit. Humans need to realize they do not own the earth, it is the earth that provides them with life; therefore humans need to honor the life they are given, which includes the trees, the mountains, the rivers, the oceans, the land, all the animals, and even the air. Or you could sum all this up with NATURE! If humans would just realize how important all of nature is, we might have a chance."

"Do you think humans can change their way of thinking dragonfly?"

"Well butterfly I know change is extremely difficult for humans, but they can do it if they want to."

"So I guess it's a question of whether humans will want to change the way in which they live their lives," replied the butterfly.

"Yes butterfly that is precisely the question humans should be asking them selves."

"Well I hope they make the right choices."

"I do too butterfly, because if they keep distroying nature, I have a feeling the earth will fight back and defend herself. The earth has tremendous power and it would not take much to eliminate the humans."

"Is there anything we can do to help the humans realize what they are doing?"

"Well butterfly you have a special quality about you, the magnificent colors on your wings attracts humans to stop for a second and think about the beauty that nature provides. So the best thing for you to do is place your self around humans as much as possible , so when humans see you they think twice before destroying everything in their path!"

"Yes dragonfly, that is what I will do, I will search out humans and even land on them with a big How Do You Do!"

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"Sounds good butterfly, just don't give up hope I believe the humans can do it they just need a little help, so any help we can give them the better off we all will be; well butterfly I have to buzz off now I'll see you on the next log."

Copyright © 1996, Dawn, Revised -- (12 Sep 96)