My name is Jing Hu. I’m a panda, and I’m a bit much. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking. Jing Hu, you’re not a bit much. You just happen to be a bit- adventurous. Yeah, yeah. My mom always says, “Honestly Jing Hu, if your head wasn’t attached to your body, you’d lose it in the bamboo field.” I live in the Qui’nian Bamboo Forest in China. I live with my mother and father and I am about 2.5 years old. This is the story of how my parents were right.

One day last September, my Mom, and Pop sat me down around the dinner table. They said we needed to talk.

“Jing Hu-” my mom started,

“Look, if this is going to be another talk about how I’m going to be an adult soon, so I need to learn how to fend for myself, I don’t want to hear it!” I stormed away into my den, “I can take care of myself,” I grumbled, “I’ll show them!”

As I crept out of the house, I overheard talking coming from my parent’s den.

“I’m worried about Jing Hu,” my mom said, “how is he going to take care of himself when we aren’t around too? I mean, the boy can hardly tell Bambusinae from Sasa!”

“Chin, I’m sure the boy is smarter than we know. He just needs a reason to take care of himself.” my dad said.

I turned away, walking toward the door. I edged out slowly and took off into the night. I was going in search of food.

۞۞۞

I had been walking all night when I saw it. A stream. As the sun came up above the horizon, I broke into a run, taking long strides until I reached the stream. I knelt my muzzle down and drank, savoring the cool water. By now, my parents surely would have realized that I was missing. I finished my drink and sat down, contemplating what to do next. “Hmmm,” I thought, “I’m looking for Bambusinae. Bambusinae likes being where it’s wet. I should follow the stream. I bet I’ll find Bambusinae up there.” I kept walking, but this time following the stream uphill. It was hard work, and I’ll admit, I’ve never been in the best shape. I staggered over the rocky riverside catching my paw on a, particularly sharp rock. I fell forward hard. “Oooffff!” I spoke, as I hit the ground hard. I looked down at my paw. It didn’t seem to be bleeding. Just a little bruised.

I got up again and continued walking. It was about lunchtime now. My paw was starting to hurt when I reached the field of Bambusinae. I smiled with delight imagining on my parent’s faces when I returned home with a bundle of bamboo big enough to last us the winter. And that’s when it struck me.

Or more accurately, a net struck me! I fell on the grass, falling hard. I craned my head around and saw that I was captured in a net by 4 human trappers. Here was my situation. I had a bruised paw, I was trapped in the net and I was about to be killed by 4 heavily armed human trappers. What fun. I noticed a rip in the net. I bit it and the net snapped. I reared up, and I roared. The humans didn’t move.

“Leave!” I roared, but of course, they couldn’t hear me. It just sounded like I was roaring.

“Honestly Jacob! I told you to replace the net! I told you it was going bad!” the leader yelled in humanese at the short bald man who was named Jacob.

“Sorry boss,” Jacob mumbled looking at the ground.

“Well, we can’t trap this on, so, let’s move on to Plan B.,” the leader said, “His pelt looks nice, and I need a new pair of boots!” The human pulled something out of his pocket, and before I knew it, I was dead.

Now, now, I know what you’re thinking. Jing Hu, you can’t be dead. How would you be narrating this story? But nope. I’m dead. My last thought as my head rolled away from my body was: My parents were right. What fun!

The life of a bird is a hard one. There are many oppressors and the winter’s gnarly claws rip us apart. That is what happened to me.

My name is Bird’ie. I am a bird. A pigeon to be exact. Yes, I hope that much is obvious. I was flying above Paris, where I was born. It was winter. The gray smog covered the city. I coughed. The pollution was terrible this time of year. I needed a place to land, I was breathing hard. I landed down on the roof. I didn’t notice blinking red eyes in the corner behind me. The sun was coming up over the horizon.

“Bird’ie my old friend! How are you?” my friend Peirrd said to me.

“Fine! Wishing that all the pollution would go away,” I replied quite loudly.

“SHHHHHH!!!!!!” Peirrd whispered, “These are dangerous parts!”

I didn’t notice the dark shape creeping up behind me.

“You need to be quiet,” Peirrd said.

The dark shape crept even closer to me.

“Alright. What’s the pro-”

The dark shape lept at me, grabbing me with its sharp claws.

“Bird’ie!” Peirrd said!

“Arggggg!” I screamed as the dark cat latched onto my head.

“Help m-”

Squish.

There are moments in the life of a snowflake that is as insignificant as the life of the tiniest fly. As they are crushed by humans, they are wiped from existence, as like they were never even there; for the life of a snowflake is insignificant.

From the clouds they fall, spiraling as they dive. Gently, they twinkle, each one to their own. They are unique as you and me, each with their own personality. Some might be gentle, others might be in your face, brutally sharp others might be. Some might sting, others might drift, falling in rows as soft as a warm woolen blanket. But as unique as each snowflake is, they all have one thing in common. Each snowflake can be enjoyed all over the world. From the Great Lakes of Michigan to the bustling busy streets of New York City to the great Rocky Mountains of Colorado, people can enjoy the snow. From the cold, icy tundras of Russia, to the quaint towns of Germany, even as far as the earth will reach, in the frigid poles, everyone can enjoy the snow. And every winter, children, no matter of race, ethnicity, or religion enjoy the blustering winds of the snow.

As the moons turn and the wind carries the snow, farther and farther from the place of its birth, the snow swirls, in big clouds, causing the sky to look as gray as the clouds. And although the snow is cold, it can bring a feeling of warmth. The wind carries it to its new destination, as the gently loping winds rise and fall, the snow turns. From every corner of the earth, snow will reign. And as the frigid Ice Queens breath lights the world, the snow soon settles on the ground. The snow settles in every nook and cranny of the asphalt, on every blade of the rolling fields, on the smooth pavement, even on the rocks, on the wood, on the brick. And sometimes the snow turns to ice, creating slippery surfaces for all to enjoy. But soon the enjoyment turns to frustration, and people become sick of slipping, of it being cold, and their thoughts of exuberance turn to exasperation, with wishes for the summer.

Again and again, the snow falls, creating thick layers, so thick that you couldn’t see the ground below you. As the snow settles on the ground, and time goes on, it turns wet. The snow-slush is swept away, either by plows or by shovels. Then the warm weather comes, ending the era of peace and cold. Every last snowflake, big or small is melted. The water will become snow, rain, or hail again another time. But the tranquillity, coming with the snow is replaced with bustling busy humans. And in the heat of the summer, we long for snow. But snow will not come for many more moons.

Every small flake of snow is entirely insignificant, just large enough to be noticed. It is like the life of a fly, not being able to be seen. As they are crushed by humans, they are wiped from existence, as like they were never even there. But snow has an everlasting impact on the human. They are released from their body, even the oldest adults become children again. The life of a snowflake is insignificant.

I thought I felt a raindrop fall on my shoulder but when I looked up I saw…

BOB THE TALKING UNICORN! He was salivating all on my shoulder.

“What’s up, dude?” Bob asked me, “How you?”

He looked down at me, his bloodshot red eyes were the size of dinner plates, and they were crying tears of poison all on my shoulder. BOB THE TALKING UNICORN had gold fur with purple and lime green polka dots all over his white body.

“Bob, you know you’re not supposed to leave your enclosure. The flesh-eating rainbows might get you!”

“Ok dude, but I just wanted to see the green sky!”

“Ok, but GET BACK IN YOUR ENCLOURSE!!!” I yelled.

BOB THE TALKING UNICORN promptly punched me in the face, “No dude, you get back! I hate you! I really hate being not able to see the green sky, the fuzzy trees, and the blue grass! The pink cotton candy clouds are fun! So stop telling me to go back to my cave!”

The rainbows descended on me and began to rip my face off. Before BOB THE TALKING UNICORN ate me and killed me, the rainbows grew fangs and then…

I died.

Once, a long time ago, as we humans were only beginning to traverse the wonders of the earth, the primordial gods and goddesses ruled the cosmos.

They were as such: Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Light, Dark, Sun, Moon, Stars, and Sky.

The Sky god guarded the doorway between life and death and gods and mortals. The humans called him Thunder, for when he spoke, his voice shook the earth and the heavens. Thunder guarded all the god’s secrets and lies. He held them in a pouch of starlight crafted by the forgers. But Thunder didn’t want to hold secrets and lies. He wanted to feel what it was like to breathe. To fear death. To LIVE instead of being the holder of all knowledge.

Then came Fire, Elduri as they called him. He was the bearer of many secrets and lies. But he was also the father of humans. From the ashes of the great beast Dökkir Skuggar whom he slaughtered, humans were born. One day Elduri looked into Thunder’s mind. He saw that Thunder’s deepest desire was to experience a day as a human. So he came to the gate.

“Thunder, my old friend! How is it in the realm of the humans?”

“Elduri, it is good to see you, brother!” Thunder spoke.

“I still don’t know why you let them give you a human name. Himinn would suit you well. Or perhaps, Stormur. Or maybe even þruma, after the thunder you love so much.” Elduri said in a throaty voice, taunting Thunder.

“Please brother. I am just a simple god with a simple life.”

Elduri scowled and made his decision to go ahead with his plan. He leaned in close, and whispered to Thunder, “I know your secret brother.”

“WHAT? I am the guardian of all secrets and lies. I could tear you out before the council if is des-”

“Brother, please. Do you want the insignificant humans to hear all of our conversations? Quite yourself.”

“Elduri, you dare violate my powers-”

“No, I do not. I glimpsed your mind brother. It is within my power to see that. Brother, all I was trying to say was that I know of your desire to be human.”

“And what are you saying?”

“I can fulfill your desire Brother! I am the creator of humans! All I ask is that you give me your bag of secrets to hold as you descend to mortal. It is not even a big request!”

Thunder thought it over and finally said, “Alright. Here.” he unclipped the starlight pouch of secrets and lies and handed it to Elduri.

“Thank you, brother. I will turn you human for 24 hours and then turn you back.”

Thunder did not notice Elduri’s wicked grin, nor did Elduri feel Minnigyðja’s presence overhead. Elduri waved his hands and Thunder became human.

The next day passed with Thunder enjoying everything being human had to offer. Soon, the evening came, and as the sun broke the horizon, setting below the clouds, Thunder knew something was wrong.

“Elduri broke his promise. I should have seen the lying backstabber coming!” Thunder muttered to himself as twilight came and the sky turned a rich shade of purple.

Above Thunder lightning crackled and rain began to fall over Hámark Guðs, the peak of the gods. Then in a flash of misty light, Thunder disappeared

...

Now, there is a legend of one more goddess. Not even the gods know if she is truly real. But Minnigyðja is very much real. She is the goddess of memory. She summoned Thunder to Hámark Guðs, in a cave in the heart of the storm.

...

Thunder awoke with a start. He was in a cave. And there was a girl standing over him.

“Ack!” he screamed, jumping back and hitting his skull on a rock.

“Do not be alarmed! I am here to help,” the girl said.

In response, he screamed again.

“I am Minnigyðja, goddess of memory. May I make you a god again?”

Thunder gasped and sputtered, eventually regaining his voice, “Yes please.”

Minnigyðja placed her hands on the side of his face. There was a flash of light, and Thunder became a god again.

“Thank you,” he whispered, and then he disappeared.

...

“Are you certain Elduri? Is Thunder really dead?” asked Light, King of the gods.

“Yes, Father. Thunder is-”

“Right here,” said Thunder, “And I challenge you to a Powers einvígi.”

“A power duel? I accept!” yelled Elduri.

The duel was bloody and brutal. Many hits were thrown. Finally, they were both grappling over the edge of the mountain, when Elduri slipped, taking Thunder with him.

As they fell into the void, Thunder whispered, “Hope,” Then he dissolved, and the wind roared.

The legends say that when the wind roars, it is Thunder, still grappling with Elduri, and wishing for hope.

Why do you think people should spend time in nature? Nature is important because it can have medical benefits, it provides essential resources, and it inspires artists.

Nature can have medical benefits. According to Your Brain on Nature, “In England researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School recently analyzed mental health data from 10,000 city dwellers and used high-resolution mapping to track where the subjects had lived over 18 years. They found that people living near more green space reported less mental distress, even after adjusting for income, education, and employment.” This means that people who are in nature are more likely to be less stressed. According to Healthy Nature, Healthy People “In the last few hundred years, there has been an extraordinary disengagement of humans from the natural environment. This is mostly due to the enormous shift of people away from rural areas into cities. In evolutionary terms, ‘the urban environment is a spontaneous, changeable and historically unfamiliar habitat.’ Never in history have humans spent so little time in physical contact with animals and plants, and the consequences are unknown. Already, some research has shown that too much artificial stimulation and an existence spent in purely human environments may cause exhaustion and produce a loss of vitality and health. Modern society, by its very essence, insulates people from outdoor environmental stimuli and regular contact with nature.” This shows that humans aren’t spending as much time in nature, and it’s taking its toll on the human mind and body.

Nature provides essential resources. To survive, humans need oxygen. When you exhale, you produce carbon dioxide. Plants like trees take in the carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen which you need to exhale. According to Natural Food “While almost all foodstuffs are derived from the natural products of plants and animals, ‘natural foods” are often assumed to be foods that are not processed, or do not contain any food additives, or do not contain particular additives such as hormones, antibiotics, sweeteners, food colors, preservatives, or flavorings that were not originally in the food.’” This means that natural foods are healthier for you because it doesn’t have any additives that are unhealthy. According to Water, “Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, mostly in seas and oceans. Small portions of water occur as groundwater (1.7%), in the glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland (1.7%), and in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of ice and liquid water suspended in air), and precipitation (0.001%).” This means that water makes up a big portion of the Earth’s surface. This is important because humans need water to survive.

Nature inspires artists. According to Songs About Nature, “Hundreds of songs have been written about nature including Mother Nature’s Son by the Beatles, Rocky Mountain High by John Denver, and many other songs.” According to Why Nature Inspires Art, “Things in nature are tangible references that we use all the time. From the moment we have memories as little kids, we have been in nature and have used it to learn. From drawing lollipop-looking flowers underneath a cotton ball clouded sky or making a thunderstorm, clapping our hands in various ways in class, nature has been a part of our foundational education simply because it is one of the most palpable things we have. Just walk outside and there it is. Similarly, we use words and common figures of speech that originally have a meaning that is found in nature to describe events or objects in our daily lives. For example, a dry or wet signal, lightning-fast reflexes, a rocky start, root of a problem, etc…The list goes on. Why did it become this way? Because nature is where life begins and has always been there for us to draw ideas from. Nature is a relative constant in our ever-changing lives. Scientifically, there are several parallels between nature and music. There are natural harmonies and pitch frequencies that the Earth makes as it lives and breathes. The wind ripping through canyons and water falling over smooth rocks. Not to mention animals that sing as they go about their days. Our modern-day instruments are even tuned to match the natural movement, rhythm, and vibration of the cosmos at A=432Hz, which is mathematically proven to be the exact same as the universe. Music was given to us by nature, with the earliest instruments being from gourds, or hollowed out pieces of wood. Even now, instruments are very rarely not based on vibrations traveling through some type of wood. The direct parallels between music and nature are too great to ignore.” This means that art comes from nature, and it always has.

Nature is important because it can have medical benefits, it provides essential resources, and it inspires artists. This is important because with our ever-changing planet and the Earth feeling the effects of climate change. Nature is very important.