A story from Peru

The talking tree

Once upon a time, there were some children playing on the Great Forest. They were very naughty children, trying to rip the leaves from the trees, hanging from the branches, and throwing trash around.

After a while, one of the children got scared because the tree he was hanging of started to come alive, it started to move and to talk.

“What is going on? Why is the tree moving and talking to us?” they asked themselves surprised.

“Children, Why are you ripping off my leaves and hanging from my branches? You are dirtying up the Great Forest instead of throwing the trash into a wastebasket. It hurts me, I am a living being,” said the tree, very sadly.

“There is no reason to do this to me,” he continued. “Did you know that thanks to us, the trees, there’s oxygen in the world? Birds have places to build their nests and have baby birds. Thanks to us trees you have paper and doors at school and home, tables, desks and many more things. Why are you destroying us? Trees are useful, even if you children don’t know it. If you take care of us, we can give you more things to enjoy.”

“You’re right, Mr. Tree, we have understood our mistake.”

“Don’t worry children, you can help us by making signs and posters and place them in the Great Forest, teaching everyone else how to care for us.”

Colegio : Sagrado Corazón Anexo al IPNM
Estudiante : Vivian Gonzales Omontes
Grado : 6º de Primaria
Edad : 11 años
Ciudad : Lima
País : Perú
Responsable : Jimena Cabrera Elejalde / Valeria Calagua Mendoza

A Peace Forest Story from Rep of Macedonia

A Strange Dream

The owl sat on the branch of the old tree so it could rest after the long flight. After a while, it heard the elephant`s painful shrieks. He flew next to him and asked:
- What is it my friend? What happened to you?
And the elephant answered very slowly and in a lot of pain
- The people attacked me and took out my teeth. They said that I don`t need them, but for them my teeth are priceless...
At the same moment, the crocodile came out of the river and said:
- They wanted to take off my skin, but I managed to escape them!
The fox that was just passing by heard the conversation and joined them:
- It is good that you survived because I barely got out of it alive! They chased me for a long time, but all they managed to do is cut my tale.
- You all had luck- said the owl with a voice full of pain. I just visited the young deer. The same people killed his parents and left it alone. It is an orphan now!
- Oh my God, what a tragedy! - said the fox
In that moment, the rabbit came running and said
- What is happening? - the animals asked.
- Run as fast as you can!- said the rabbit using his last sources of energy.
- Where should we run? - the crocodile asked.
- And why should we do it? This is our home! - the owl added.
- I am sorry Mr. Owl, but you don`t have a home anymore. The hundred- year old tree you lived in was attacked first! - the rabbit answered tiredly. He explained to the animals how a lot of machines controlled by people were brought into the forest so they can ruin everything so they can build a park. They were determined to ruin the whole forest including all the animals.
- That is so scary and not human!- cried the fox together with all the animals.
But then, in a lot of pain and hearing a strange noise, the owl opened its eyes and realized it was all a dream.
- Oh I am so glad this was just a dream. But then he heard the noise from a machine and that made him ask himself
- Was this just a dream or is it real?

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