Ants, Amber and Others
June 2016
Once upon a time, not very long ago, in fact recently I noticed that there are too many termites and ants in our garden making life difficult for the newly growing as well as grown up flowering plants and the established mature trees which secretes amber whenever it feels like. I consulted my gardener and some well wishers who convinced me to apply Solignum to the soil to combat the menace which is a well known insecticide in this part of the world.
Being a regular practitioner of vipassana meditation, I have a strong belief in the interconnectedness of being and that however small and insignificant it might appear to be but; even tiny creatures do have a role to play in the eco system. So I was worried to wage a chemical warfare against the inhabitants of my garden and commit a mass genocide despite the fact that they are destroyers of many flowering plants in the garden. One afternoon sipping my organic carmein rooibos tea, I was enjoying my time with the chirping of birds amidst the sound of cluttering of leaves from the silk cotton tree and the ones whose names I do not know but are there ever since the time before my birth in my compound. I noticed a brown mongoose busily hurrying towards a small snake and then both disappeared amidst the dried bamboo leaf foliage in no time. Now curious I tried to sweep search them with whatever vision I have and in the process noticed the blue faced garden lizard feasting on termites and ants that were trying to construct a bunker and sabotage the foundations which are roots of my flowering plants. As I was keen on looking at ground I heard a fluttering close to me to see tiny birds with greenish yellow breasts and dark green wings circling one over the other and then drinking water from the stone reservoir which can hold up to a pint of water; if replenished after every 2 or 3 birds finish their bath without a soap and towel. My ears too became more focused with my eyes to appreciate that, tinier the birds sweeter are their voice and more loudly the pitch where as bigger the birds hoarse and shallow the voice. But still the bigger ones like the mosaic headed woodpecker or the black parrot like with patterns of intricate designs in astounding fusion of colors on their feathers are also equally admirable at the same time useful when I noticed them picking the termites that have risen up to the branches of mature trees. Oh! what a dive and catch when one termite or worm escaped from the birds mouth and fell off the tree and the bird in high speed pursuit dived from the branch and before the prey could reach the earth was taken mid air. Hmm.
After an hour I am still at the same page and yet to read the last sentence of the page in my favorite book The Alchemist for now I have found the real Alchemist who preserves the fine balance, the nature Oh! My newest collection of button rose plants protected by rosemary around from termites by my curious gardener; who has decided that his master is broke and cannot afford Solignum anymore! Know Your Environment Respect, Nurture; It Will Save You ~ Manighandan