DEFYING SURVIVAL - THE PRESENT TREND
“More than a lakh star backed tortoises exported to China-Scam caught by Chennai officials”
“Eight Tigers killed in sanctuary near Hyderabad-Officers yet to find poachers”
“Salman Khan arrested for killing a deer in a sanctuary in Rajasthan”
The above headlines frequent the front page of newspapers quite often. Sometimes the poachers are caught, sometimes they just vamoose without a trace.
Fur of animals such as polar bears, arctic foxes, minks, rabbits, skins of leopards, tigers, lions, deer, snakes etc. fetch a high price and are in much demand among the fashion conscious. It is a fact that more than a million animals are slaughtered each year for making fur clothes, leather belts, purses, bags, wallets and shoes as well as for food. The blubber layer in whales provides a particular type of fat, which is used in cosmetics. The boom in the cosmetic industry lead to the hunting of whales in large numbners, thereby making them endangered. Leaks in oil tankers, nuclear wars etc have affected thecourse of many millions of land and sea animals leading to their deaths.
With slim and beautiful models adorning exotic leather clothes, hide boots, corcodile skin belts and purses, fur caps, mink coats and finishing it all up with some glossy, attractive make-up, who wouldn't enchanted? Anybody who can afford them is after them and these are the “IN” things in social circles. What would be an evening dinner party without having enough to show off?
In the news recently was the name of a famous model who was attacked on the ramp of a fashion show by animal activists and the PETA in Brzail because she had accepted to be the brand ambassdor of a fur and leather paraphernalia manufacturing company. Who doesn't love watching animal oriented movies? Animal characters in both books and movies have always been memorable and amusing. Movies like “The 101 Dalmatians” its sequel, Dunston Checks In, Lassie, Free Willy, The Golden Seal, Jumanji, An American Tale, The lion King, etcetera have all been blockbuster flicks. Jungle book, Moby Dick and the books depicting the friendship, rapport and love beyond human insight between the Elephant Tara and Mark Shand by Mark Shand are all touching. The animals in the Enid Blyton and Harry Potter series add that touch of subtle humour to the stories. The umpteen animals in the various books of Enid Blyton and J.K. Rowling persist in their views that children should grow up with animals.
So it isn't like there is no awareness among people regarding treatment of animals. One might wonder that with so many unforgettable books, movies and memorable characters of animals, why does one succumb to mink coats and leather shoes or medicines and tablets made of powdered tortoise shell, crushed sea anemones, died snails and frogs, bones of tigers etc. A coat of Pashmina wool which is of great demand in the United States of America has a touching tale behind it which brings tears to one's eyes. The Pashmina sheep is a rare species found in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is said that the wool of the sheep is really soft and silky just before it gives birth. So in order to obtain this exotic wool, they are killed as soon as they give birth by poachers. The young one (only one is usually born) unable to withstand the cold or protect itself dies too!
Man has learnt a lot from animals but is yet to learn compassion and loyalty. People are still realising the value of animals. Animal, plant and forest resources are said to be last on the list of the Budget allocation. But with the coming of a new President we hope this will change and bring in a new era of friendship between Man and Animals.
Kadambari Devarajan
XI-B
Shankara Senior Sec. School, Adyar

A LONELY TREE

It was the year 2999. The date, December 31. The next day would be a new millenium and a new year. The time was nearing 8 in the evening. London's night sky was lit with fireworks and there was a great hustle and bustle in the city. Rocky sat near the window, immersed in his thoughts. His mother noticed this and asked him, “What're you thinking about, Rocky?”
Rocky said, “Mom, I have been asked to draw the picture of a tree on my laptop by my Arts teacher, but I don't know how a tree looks like. Mom what's a tree?”
“Rocky, first take your protein and vitamin tablets then I'll tell you”
Rockey agreed. He took both the tablets and went and sat near his mother. “Mom, now tell me about the tree.” His mother began to describe the characteristics of a tree.
“Son, your great grandfather had told me all this, but I myself have not seen a tree in my life. Even your great grandfather hadn't seen one. But there is now one in London museum. Long ago, there was an immovable living creature named tree with a pillar like main body called trunk. The trunk had many branches, which was spread like the topof an open umbrella. Each branch had spongy things called leaves, green in colour.”
With a sigh, she continued, “It is said that there were many varieties of trees in the world. Unfortunately there is only one altogether now. This is because of man's thoughtlessness. Actually, without trees, there would have been no rain. But scientists have found out a new way to bring rain artificially.”
Besides there are other uses of trees.
Rocky listened more keenly and asked “what more can trees do?” His mom replied, “trees stopped soil erosion and facilitated abundant rainfall. They provided home for birds and animals....” she went on.
Rocky's anxiety grew. He requested his mom to draw one for him. She replied, “Yes, dear; I'll do it. There's one more surprise for you. We shall visit the museum tomorrow.”
“Great Mom. Thank you” Rocky shouted.

Karthik Ramaswamy
X - B, Devi Academy, Valasaravakkam

CAN YOU THINK OF OTHERS?

One night a man came to our house and told me, “There is a family with eight children. They have not eaten for days.” I took some food with me and went.
When I finally came to that family, I saw the faces of those little children disfigured by hunger. There was no sorrow or sadness in their faces, just that deep pain of hunger.
I gave the rice to the mother. She divided the rice into two and went out, carrying half the rice. When shecame back. I asked her, “where did you go?” She gave me this simple answer, “To my neighbours - they are hungry also!” ...I was not surprised that she gave, because poor people are really very generous. But I was surprised that she knew they were hungry. As a rule, when we are suffering, we are so focused on ourselves we have no time for others!
Mother Teresa