Do your part, and the world saves itself
According to an old Native American legend, one day there was a big fire in the forest.
All the animals fled in terror in all directions, because it was a very violent fire.
Suddenly, the jaguar saw a hummingbird pass over his head, but in the opposite direction.
The hummingbird flew towards the fire.
Whatever happened, he wouldn't stop.
Moments later, the jaguar saw him pass again, this time in the same direction as the jaguar was walking.
He could observe this coming and going, until he decided to ask the bird about it, because it seemed bizarre behaviour.
"What are you doing, hummingbird?" he asked.
"I am going to the lake," he answered.
"I drink water with my beak and throw it on the fire to extinguish it."
The jaguar laughed: "Are you crazy?
"Do you really think that you can put out that big fire on your own with your very small beak?"
"No," said the hummingbird.
"I know I can't.
"But the forest is my home. It feeds me. It shelters me and my family. I am very grateful for that.
"And I help the forest grow by pollinating its flowers. I am part of her and the forest is part of me.
"I know I can't put out the fire, but I must do my part."
At that moment, the forest spirits, who listened to the hummingbird, were moved by the bird and its devotion to the forest.
Miraculously they sent a torrential downpour, which put an end to the great fire.
The Native American grandmothers would occasionally tell this story to their grandchildren, and conclude: "Do you want to attract miracles into your life?
"Do your part.
"You have no responsibility to save the world or find the solutions to all problems-but to attend to your particular personal corner of the universe.
"As each person does that, the world saves itself.'"
This is why the reserve at 23 Memorial Ave, Blackwall, matters.
We, the friends of Gindang (meaning "possum") Reserve, know that we can't individually bring back critically endangered species from the brink of extinction.
Most of the animals native to the Peninsula disappeared long ago.
However, there are pockets of resistance where tougher souls are hanging on for dear life.
In Gindang Reserve we have the possums, the microbats, the tawny frogmouths, the crested pigeons, the magpies, the kookaburras, the boobook owl, the brush turkeys, the lizards, the antechinus, and the occasional exhausted migratory bird.
And, well, they come and go.
Nobody can say for sure how many of which species are in residence at any given time.
What we do know is that if this sanctuary is taken away, they will have nowhere to go.
This refuge, this sanctuary, this reserve is small, some say insignificant.
However, we just have to focus on what is close to us, what is most precious to us, and what is most dear, no matter how small ... and we will win.
SOURCE:
Email, 14 Aug 2024
Jane Hendy, Blackwall