environmental education story book sri lanka ces diogo verissimo (2)

8/7/2019 Environmental Education Story Book Sri Lanka CES Diogo Verissimo (2)

1/51


2/51

Book concept and text: Diogo Verissimo

Designing concept : Asanka De Zoysa

Computer Graphic designing: K. A. D Samantha

Kumara

Coordination: Education and CommunicationDivision / CES


3/51

.Introduction

.Green alert

.In the wild

.The empty paddy field

.The gentle giant

.The shy Loris

.The spotted encounter

.The call of the forest

.Smart and smelly

.The charming Snake

.Flying colours

.Acknowledgments


4/51

I n t r oduc t i on

Environmental education is one of the keystone areas inconservation biology, as such it is essential to develop its

reach beyond specialised institutes and associations. Every

environmental education program has the ultimate goal of

reaching as many people has many people has possible.

Mainstreaming environmental practices is the key to achieve

a turnover in the accelerated degradation our planet is facingin the present.

School in its broad sense, is one of the few, or even probably

the only transversal institution to every continent, religion,

culture or ethnic group. Furthermore, its responsibility to

educate children makes it the perfect vehicle forenvironmental education activities.

English is one of the compulsory subjects in every Sri

Lankan primary school since year three. Learning a

language so different from their own mother tongue (either

Sinhala or Tamil) poses a series of challenges to young

children. There is therefore a need for non-conventional

ways of passing knowledge.

01


5/51

Stories are a perfect way to reach a young childs attention

as they mix real issues and a fantasy world where

everything is possible and imagination is the only limit.

They are a different way to create a genuine interest in

learning while being also allowing children to become

aware of the different threats to their countries ecosystems.

A mixture of these three ingredients, school, Englishlearning and story telling as proven effective in other

biological hotspots namely in the Dominica Island in the

Caribbean where the whole country united around a

character created to preserve the national bird, a parrot

by then threatened by the illegal pet trade. This along with

other success histories gave place to the idea of creating

a booklet of stories for school children to use in their English

classes.

This book aims at making English learning easier and at

the same time hopes to grow an environmental conscience

in the younger generations.

02


6/51

Green aler t

Past the blue ocean, in a small island, in a small village

lives a small boy. His name is Tim. He is ten years old. Tim

lives in a beautiful cottage with his family, his father, his

mother and his younger sister Molly.

Tim goes to school to learn about different things. These

will be very important when he grows up. After school Tim

and his friends play together in the paddy rice fields and in

the forest.

One day, after school, Tim and his friends went to the forest

to play. Tim likes to play in the forest because it is a very

beautiful place, with many different colours and many

different sounds.

03


7/51

In the forest you can find lagoons, mushrooms, small plants,

very old trees and many different animals from the butterfly

to the tortoise, from the frog to the langur.

On that day, Tim and his friends went to play hide and

seek. Tim loved to play hide and seek, and he ran to find

the best hiding place. After some time he stopped near a

very old tree. That tree was probably the oldest tree in the

forest. He heard a strange noise, and walked close to thetree to listen. Tim, do you like the forest? Tim was scared,

the tree was talking! Tim, do you like the forest? The old

tree gasped.

Yes, it is very beautiful said Tim, still a little surprised.

04


8/51

You are right, replied the old tree, however that is not

the only reason to like the forest. The forest gives you food

to eat, water to drink and shade to rest under, it is also thehome of all the animals, plants and all the other living beings

you see. What other place can give you all this?

There was a moment of silence. Those words made Tim

think about the beautiful things he sees and learns in the

forest. He had lived for many years near the forest but hehad never thought about all the nice things the forest gave

him. Why are you talking to me? Why are you telling me

this? Tim said, without answering the trees question.

The forest is endangered Tim, said the old tree. For many

years mankind and nature lived side by side, but now the

times have changed and there seems to be no space left

for the forest anymore.

Tim was unhappy, how would they live without the forest?

Without the animals? Without the plants? So he asked the

tree, who is destroying the forest?

The old tree replied People are, even you Tim.

Tim could not believe it, he said I love the forest, I am not

destroying it!

05


9/51

But the old tree just replied, I will show you Tim, the forest

itself will talk to you and you will see how humans destroy

the forest, tree by tree, bird by bird.

After those words the tree said no more. Tim continued to

talk to her but there was no reply. By this time, Tim

remembered the hide and seek game he was playing

before and thought his friends were probably worried about

him. Still wondering about the meaning of the trees words,he decided it was time to return.

06


10/51

I n t he w i ld





On a sunny day, Tim was walking along a forest path. He

had spent the whole morning helping his father in the paddy

fields. The paddy fields are very important as they are the

place where rice is grown.

Walking down the path, Tim heard a noise just behind a

small bush. He slowly lifted some of its branches, only to

discover a small tortoise! It was a very beautiful animal,

but as soon as Tim picked it up the tortoise withdrew her

head and legs inside her shell. Without further delay, Tim

put her in his pocket.

Put me down! Tim was surprised. He did not know who

had said that. He looked around but could not find anyone.

I said, put me down! Tim was really confused and did not

dare to move at all. A few seconds passed before Tim

noticed the small tortoise furiously struggling to get out of

his pocket.

07


11/51

Although surprised, Tim quickly took her out. However, the

tortoise still had some things to say. What are you doing?

Where are you taking me? she screamed at him.

Tim replied calmly, I am taking you to be my pet. You will

live in a beautiful home garden, full of flowers and birds.

There you will have no predators and no one will bother

you. I will also give you all the food and water you can dream

of.

I do not want to go with you, replied the tortoise.

Why? What more could you wish for? asked Tim.

08


12/51

You see, the tortoise began, tortoises are wild animals.

We need other tortoises to play with, we need to drink waterfrom the streams and lagoons, and we need to eat the

hundreds of different species of vegetables that we can

only find in the forest. If you feed us with rice and lettuce

and give us tap water to drink, we will die quickly. Tortoises

are not pets.

Although taken by surprise by the tortoises speech, Tim

was forced to recognize she was right and he was wrong.

Wild animals like tortoises or porcupines are very different

from the cats and dogs we have at home. These animals

have special needs that only they and the forest know how

to fulfil.

That said, Tim released the tortoise back into the forest.

Goodbye thank you for this lesson, I will not forget it! he

shouted.

You are welcome, I hope you can teach it to your fellow

humans! the tortoise answered as she turned around and

vanished into the forest.

Tim saw her disappear, and headed home in a hurry, it

was almost time for lunch!

09


13/51

10


14/51

The em pt y paddy f ield





So far, this had been exactly like any other Saturday in

Tims life. He woke up at dawn, and went with his father to

the paddy fields. The two of them worked all morning, and

stopped only at noon when the temperature became too

hot. Then they decided to have lunch, under the shade of a

big tree.

After lunch, as it was still to hot to resume work, Tim and

his father decided to take a nap. Tim went fast asleep, as

he was really tired from all the work he had done in the

morning. Exactly as Tim was beginning to dream away,

something jumped on his head and woke him up.

Still a bit sleepy, Tim looked around and found the culprit,

a frog. The same greenish frog, Tim was so used to seeing

in the paddy field. His father had told him there used to be

several dozens of them around the field. However, Tim had

noticed that each year they appeared to be less and less

common.

11


15/51

That year he only remembered seeing that one individual,

nothing more.

As soon as Tim got up the frog jumped away, into the forest.Tim was worried, if that frog went away they would have no

animals at all in the paddy fields! That frog what lived her

whole live on those fields, why would she want to leave?

Tim had to find out, so he ran into the forest and went after

her. It was a difficult task, as the small frog jumped easily

from place to place, but finally Tim managed to catch her.

Why are you chasing me? asked the frog, very irritated.

Dont you recognize me? Im Tim, my father owns the paddy

field where you live.

12


16/51

I do not live there anymore, I have decided to move to

another place replied the frog

Why? What is the matter? said Tim.

Your paddy field has become a desert. I feel lonely. All the

fish have died. All the other frogs have moved away. What

is the point of staying?

At first the frogs words sounded to Tim just like an excuse.His father has always told him stories about the animals

one could find in the paddy fields.

However, now that he came to think of it, he had seen none

of those animals himself. Where did all the animals go?

Tim asked the frog after a few seconds of silence.

13


17/51

Have you noticed that your father is applying many kinds

of different chemicals in the paddy fields? replied the frog.

Yes! answered Tim, Sometimes I help him. My father

says the chemicals, make our crops grow faster and bigger,

make the soil more fertile and also keep away harmful plants

and animals.

Well, those same chemicals are the ones responsible forthe animals disappearance, said calmly the frog.

How is that possible? Are you sure? Tim asked in

disbelief.

Yes, I am sure the frog replied. All those chemicals are

washed up by the rain and irrigation water. They build up

in the canals, lagoons and reservoirs, where many animals

live. That is not a natural event, so no animal is adapted to

those chemicals. The ones who survive have to move to

other fields, free of chemicals, just like I am doing.

You mean it wasnt always like this? Tim asked the frog.

No, said the frog. Not long ago agriculture was done

with traditional methods and no chemicals. You can ask

your father how the paddy fields truly were alive then!

15


18/51

Come with me frog! I will tell all this to my father, and

together we will stop the use of chemicals and make the

paddy fields become alive again! said Tim enthusiastically.

So the story goes that from that day people understood

the value having clean water sources, free from all

chemicals, after all, pure water is life.

16


19/51

The gent le g iant

Past the blue ocean, in a small island, in a small villagelives a small boy. His name is Tim. He is ten years old. Tim



This had been a very special day for Tim. Today was his

sisters seventh birthday, and the whole family gathered tocelebrate. It was already dark, and some guests had

already left. Inside Tims house everyone was happily

talking to each other, playing games or simply looking at

the television.

Out of nowhere the sound of a firecracker made himself

heard, quickly followed but a second one and then a third.

This could only mean one thing; there was an elephant in

the cultivated fields nearby.

In a second everyone was heading for the neighbouring

fields, shouting and screaming. In the beginning Tim was

scared, but shouted as loud as he could, in hope that the

elephant would turn away. There was not a second to loose

as an animal that size could do a lot of damage in a small

amount of time. But suddenly, everything was over. A riffle

shot echoed in the night and the elephant quickly turned

back and fled.

17


20/51

The damages caused by the elephant were small. Even

so, some of the men, Tim among them, stayed on the

field for a while, just to make sure the elephant would notreturn, at least that night.

After all the uproar was finally over, everyone talked with

some enthusiasm of what had just happened. Now with

the elephant gone, Tim was telling everyone how he

shouted so loud that even the elephant was scared. Thatnight he was also the last one to leave the field.

As Tim was leaving, he heard what seemed like someone

crying, just a few metres within the forest. Tim was afraid,

but at the same time felt that he should help whoever was

crying. At night the forest might become a dangerous

place for humans, as our vision is very poor in the dark,

but even so he was decided to enter the forest.

Tim headed straight for the loud moans he could still hear.

He knew we was getting closer as the crying was getting

louder and louder, however how hard he tried, he didnt

see anyone. Tim kept walking, but still no one to be seen.

He knew he was close. He could hear someone crying

just less than a meter from where he was staying.

18


21/51

Then Tim was breathless, before him leaning on a fallen

log, was an elephant. It was probably the same one who

had visited he fields that same night. It was also him whohad been crying all this time. Tim could not move a muscle,

he tried to speak but no words came out of his mouth.

None of them said anything for quite some time. However

the elephant was the first to recover, Please, dont hurt

me! I will leave as soon as my leg recovers! he said.

Tim was even more startled, not only the elephant wasspeaking to him, but it did not seem furious at all, just

scared like himself. He also noticed a large wound on one

of the elephants legs. Why are you crying? Tim finally

managed to ask after a few minutes.

19


22/51

My leg hurts! Ouch!! the elephant replied. I was on my

way to meet some of my cousins of the other side of the

forest. As it was getting dark I stopped to have a snack,and suddenly there were all these people screaming around

me, with loud noises and lights everywhere. I dont know

what happened. The elephant continued, My mother

taught me this route many years ago when I was just a

baby. She told me she used it many times, and so had her

mother, and many other generations of elephants beforethat.

These fields are now our farms! You cant eat our crops!

What will we eat then? Tim argued.

Farms? Never heard about themWhat are they?

Replied the elephant truly interested.

Tim found himself surprised once more. The elephant

wasnt an evil creature, he simply ignored that the villagers

had taken control of these lands, which were once forest,

the true habitat of the elephant. You see Tim started to

explain, sometimes people plant seeds on the ground,

take care of them and then collect the plants that grow from

the seeds, this is called agriculture, and it is very hard work.

20


23/51

It was the elephants time to be surprised. That was what

all these people were doing on that field, defending their

work! They meant no harm to the elephants themselves! Ifthat is the case, the elephant began, I must propose an

agreement. I will spread the news about human farms

among my fellow elephants and you will convince your

human friends to stop the destruction of our natural habitat

the forest! What do you say?

Deal! replied Tim. And I will also make sure that any

uninformed elephant that steps into human farms will not

be shot at, but only scared away, what do you say?

Excellent idea! said the elephant enthusiastically.

Of course Tim and the elephant have not yet managed to

tell everyone. That is why some conflicts still exist. This

agreement may be, however, the only way to make humans

and elephants live peacefully their own lives, just like they

used to, for thousands and thousands of years.

21


24/51

The shy Lor is




Tim had always felt fascinated by the moon. He

could spend many hours just looking at her, particularly atPoia days such as that one. On those days the full moon

seemed to illuminate everything just like a miniature sun.

Nothing relaxed Tim more than looking at the clear night

sky, with millions and millions of tiny stars.

22


25/51

All this Tim could see from his home garden. It was wellpast bedtime however he remained well awake, countingthe stars in the sky. All of the sudden, he saw somemovement just beyond the back of his garden. Somethingwas moving up in the tree branches. Tim couldnt see whatanimal it was, although it reminded him of some kind oftailless monkey. At first he saw only

All this Tim could see from his home garden. It was wellpast bedtime however he remained well awake, counting

the stars in the sky. All of the sudden, he saw somemovement just beyond the back of his garden. Somethingwas moving up in the tree branches. Tim couldnt see whatanimal it was, although it reminded him of some kind oftailless monkey. At first he saw only

The loris reply was quick. Well this was our home forest

and since the forest was here before any human I guess

you are the one which will have to go

Tim found himself on the downside of this discussion and

so decided to change subject. Why would I want to see

you cry? I love animals and I love the forest! Tim stated.

You are different from the majority of your kind said one

of the loris. Another loris added, Many humans try to catch

us because they think we are magical creatures. They use

our bones, skins and even our tears for their magical

practices.

23


26/51

That is why we are so afraid. We only come out at night,

because that is when people are asleep, and we run to

the top of the trees if we see any humans.

Why are you telling me all this? asked Tim.

We know that you are different from the others. We know

that you love the forest and can help us preserve it said

the loris.

But are you magical? Tim couldnt help to ask.

We are made of simple flesh and bone, the loris began.

We are no more magical than any other living being. Our

magic is the magic of nature, and nature should always be

respected not hunted or destroyed.

I am still a child, how can I help you? Tim asked, still not

sure of himself.

Everyone can help, the loris replied. As long as they

understand nature, and are willing to explain her ways to

everyone who still has not come to recognize nature, as

the greatest blessing of all.

24


27/51

I will try my best! Tim answered enthusiastically. Thank

you for trusting me. I will make sure that together loris and

humans protect nature and every living being that makesup her equilibrium!

That said, the moonlight showed Tim that after all, those

words was all that was necessary to see the tear of the

loris.

25


28/51

The spot t ed enc ount er




As soon as the sun sets, it becomes dark very quickly and

Tim was well aware of this. However that day, theexcitement of cricket got the best of him. Playing cricket

with his friends was always great fun. Tim loved the sport,

and as he was a pretty good player everyone wanted to

be on his team. That afternoon the game was very tight,

with both teams having to call it a draw as there was not

enough light to carry on playing.

After packing their things each player headed for their home

villages. That day Tim was the only player from his village,

so he had to walk by himself for the last part of the way.

With his cricket bat on his shoulder, Tim walked the forest

path just as he had done many times before.

However that day was going to be different. That day Tim

was not alone on the forest path. From the lower branches

of a nearby tree he was being watched.

26


29/51

Tim was nevertheless completely unaware of all this and

still thought about the game. As such, he was very surprised

to see what seemed to be a large cat laying on the middleof his way. Even in low light Tim had no doubts, it was a

leopard.

Hello, I was expecting you, said the leopard. Or did you

think you could get away with it that easily?

What? You must be mistaken, I dont think we ever met

before. My name is Tim and I live in the next village replied

Tim, trying to overcome his fear of being face to face with

a leopard.

I know who you are! Put down your gun and fight with

loyalty! the leopard shouted as he jumped to the floor.

Gun? replied Tim. All I have is this cricket bat! If you dont

believe me see for yourself! as he said this, the cricket

bat flew through the air and landed right in front of the

leopard.

At first the leopard was very suspicious. He was sure that

it must be some kind of trick. He first examined the bat

without touching him, and then went on to look closer until

he concluded that it was in fact just a piece of wood.

27


30/51

At this time, Tim could not understand what was happening.

He could also hardly see anything as it was already dark

and the clouds partly covered the moon. Finally he gathered

the courage to ask, Why are you so angry?

The reply was instantaneous, Dont you read the

newspapers? The leopard shouted. Havent you heard of

the leopards skins seized by the police last week? Those

skins were once leopards and those leopards were once

my brothers!

Tim knew about this. Last week two leopard skins had

been seized by wildlife authorities and several poachers

were arrested. Killing endangered species such as the

leopard was not allowed and considered a crime.

28


31/51

Even so hundreds of these protected animals were still

caught by poachers with the help of weapons or traps.

Tim could understand the leopards rage. It must be very

hard to lose the ones close to you. Even more if this loss

is motivated by illegal activities that only mind profit,

ignoring the respect that all animals deserve. I am not a

poacher, I dont have any weapons and I dont know how

to set up traps Tim began. I also think that seekingpersonal revenge is not going to solve the problem.

What do you know about this? What difference does it

make to you that a leopard lives or dies? the leopard

replied angrily.

My specie, the human specie, has the duty to protect all

the other species and at the same time ensure the

preservation of their natural habitat. For that reason if the

cause of this problem is human, the solution should also

be.

The leopard was surprised by Tims words. Then, let

human justice be made upon disrespectful humans he

finally said.

I agree said Tim, and only leopards and humans united

can make that happen

29


32/51

It was getting late. Tim and the leopard, had met as

enemies, but said goodbye as friends.

30


33/51

The c a l l of t he fo rest




That night Tim was having trouble to sleep. For some

unknown reason, he woke up several times during the night,and was taking much longer than usual to fall back asleep.

Near dawn, he decided to get out of bed and see the

sunrise as he sometimes did in sleepless nights. So, Tim

went out to the garden, sat on the grass and watched the

beginning of a new day.

As the sun begun to shine, the jungle became alive with

dozens of different bird calls. Among all of them, one in

particular got Tims attention. This call echoed in the sky

above all others. Tim had heard that same call many times

before, although he never got to see the bird itself. However

that day Tim felt more curious than ever. This time, he would

find out who was making that call.

31


34/51

At first Tim felt very brave, and although there was little

light, he entered the forest in a very confident way. However

in just a few minutes he understood that in the dark humansare strangers to the forest. Tim could barely see where he

put his feet. Still, he had to find his way through all the thorns,

fallen logs and termites nests that naturally exist in the

forest.

Even with all these setbacks, he managed to keep onfollowing the call that could still be distinctively heard.Tim

heard he was getting closer, but at the same time he was

also getting a little scared about all the shadows dancing

around him. Its just the wind and some trees he thought

to himself. Even so, he could help but to think some of the

old stories he had been told as a child about that forest.

The stories talked about forest demons that attack anyone

who dares to enter the forest between dusk and dawn. Tim

never believed those stories, even as a child, however for

some reason he could not help to feel a little scared.

And then he saw it. A large shadow moving slowly towards

him. He immediately noticed the small horns and the large

ears. It was surely a demon.

32


35/51

Tim ran as fast as his legs could carry him and the forest

allowed. He couldnt even think of a place to run to, so he

just went straight ahead.

The sun had already appeared fully on the horizon but the

dense forest did not allow much light in. In his run to escape

the forest demon Tim trips over a tree root, and falls hitting

his head on a log. Then everything went blank.

33


36/51

At first Tim could not see any bird defending it, but as soon

as he tried to get up, a brownish hen resembling a bird

started pecking his aching head. She was so wellcamouflaged that even when standing near him, Tim could

not see her.

Tim woke up some minutes later, with the sun on his face

and still struggling to understand what had happened to

him. He opened one eye and then the other. There wasnow much more light reaching the forest floor, and Tim found

himself laying in the ground with his head still aching. He

was also very surprised to find right next to him a nest,

containing three eggs.

Get out of here you brute, think you can just jump on top ofmy eggs?

Uhhm, where am I? Who are you? Tim asked still trying

to figure out what had happened to him.

You seem a little confused replied the bird. You are in

the forest, and for some reason you almost landed on my

nest!

Yes, the forest Tim recalled. Pieces of his memory began

coming back to him. Suddenly he looked back and instantly

asked in a scared way, Did you see any demons?

34


37/51

Demons? the hen looking bird replied. I have lived in

this forest for many years and have yet to see a demon.

At least the demon is gone Though Tim slightly relived.Nevertheless one doubt still seemed to bounce around

Tims aching head, who are you? he asked for the second

time.

She is the most beautifully camouflaged, the most effective

nest builder and the affective future mother. She is, Mrs.

Junglefowl! That said, the bird appeared revealing his

bright colours and making herself heard through his most

distinctive trait, his call.

This was a call Tim had heard many times, this was the

call that had motivated him to enter the forest. By luck he

had bumped into a nest of the mysterious owner of the

call, the junglefowl.

This also reminded Tim that he had been away from home

too long without telling his parents, so they might have been

worried. It was time to go.

35


38/51

After wishing the junglefowl the best of luck for the eggs,

Tim left in a hurry. He was already near home when he

encountered the horned creature he once thought to be ademon. Tim couldnt stop laughing, it was just a cow that

had wondered into the forest!

The sun was already high in the sky and Tim returned home

with a big smile on his face.

36


39/51

Sm ar t and smel ly





Tim always tried to escape house chores. However since

his father was working at the paddy fields Tim had no

choice but to help his mother. That day his task was to

empty the dust bin on to the village dumpster. The bin was

heavy since it was not emptied for the last couple of days.

Luckily the dumpster wasnt far.

When eventually Tim managed to bring the dust bin to the

dumpster he was very surprised. More than a dozen

macaques were happily feeding on the garbage. Tim said

nothing and started to empty the bin in silence

37


40/51

What delicacy do you bring us today? One of the

macaques asked.

I am only empting the kitchen garbage Tim replied not

really sure he had understood the question.

Garbage? Humans talk of it like it is a bad thing. All I see

is pieces of food lying around. Bananas, grains of rice,

onions, even fish, everything is here. I think humans waste

way too much food stated the macaque.

He is probably right Tim thought, even so I am still not

convinced at all. So Tim asked the macaque Dont you

have food in the forest? Why do you come here? Why do

you choose to eat garbage?

We do it because it is much easier than looking for food

in the forest, besides, there are normally no predators near

human settlements. All we have to do is go to these sites.

Furthermore, there are so many humans that there alwayswill be enough food for all of us, we dont have to fight

among us. As you can see there are many advantages

said the macaque.

38


41/51

This is not proper food! Tim began. It may carry all kinds

of diseases. It may be a hazard for your health as well as

for the health of any humans around.

I had no idea of such problems, although now that I come

to think of it we have been having a great deal more health

problems since we came to rely on what you call garbage

the macaque began. However, if that is the case, why dont

humans dispose their garbage in a safe way? Why do they

just leave it lying around like this, near their homes?

Tim had to agree with that remark. Without a garbage

management plan the health of humans and other animals

would be affected. It was in fact the responsibility of humans

to make sure that all garbage it disposed properly, so that

animals like macaques wouldnt be able to feed on

dumpsters.

With the dust bin empty Tim returned to his house thinking

how much he learned about humans and their environment

in such a short encounter.

39


42/51

. The char m ing Snake





That afternoon Tim was the first to arrive home. School

had ended sooner than expected and no one seemed to

be home. His father was certainly still at the paddy fields,

and his mother and sister were most probably at the market

or visiting some relative.

Tim was starving, and went to the kitchen searching for

something to eat. He looked around but at first could find

nothing, however, as he was leaving the kitchen something

caught his eye. Some bananas where lying right next to

the kitchen sink. Great luck Tim thought to himself. He

took three of them and went to the living room to eat them

while he watched television. After a couple of minutes Timhad finished. As he was still hungry, he thought of going

back to the kitchen to get some more bananas.

40


43/51

As he was getting up, Tim noticed a very slim shadow

entering the kitchen. That is weird, he though. Mice are

not normally around at this time of the day and squirrels

have long bushy tails, I wonder what that might be It

wasnt until he got to kitchen door that he finally discovered.

Lying in the middle of the kitchen floor was a cobra.

Tim was petrified at first but then he understood that he

should give the snake an escape route since she should

probably be more scared than he was. He slowly started

to walk away from the door, and as soon as he was just a

few meters away from it, the snake quickly left the kitchen.

However this was only to stop again a few meters ahead,

this time in the middle of the living room.

41


44/51

The cobra stood upright and opened her characteristic

hood, which frightened Tim even further. Why are you here?

This is my house! Go away! Tim shouted from a distanceat the cobra.

I have come in the name of the snake council to make you

a question, replied the snake.

A question? What kind of question? Tim asked the snake,

starting to feel a little curious.

Snakes are very important to humans the cobra began.

We eat the rats and mice that chew your books and rob

your kitchens, we eat the birds that steel the seeds from

your fields and we also eat some of the insects that attack

your crops. The question I came here to ask you is, if all

those things are true, why do humans dislike snakes so

much?

Tim was taken back by the snakes speech. He had never

seen the snakes as helpers but always as a threat,

something to be afraid of. I guess, humans dislike snakes

because we are afraid of you. Snakes can bite and have

venom. Many people die from snake bites.

42


45/51

The snakes reply was instantaneous. In your country there

are 94 species of snakes, and out of those only seven are

dangerous to humans. Some humans are also dangerous

creatures are they not? Should all humankind then be

considered as no good?

Tim could find no arguments on his side. After all, the

majority should not pay for a minority.

The snaked continued. Please learn about the things you

fear, as we all are afraid of what we do not know. That

said the cobra left, passing between Tims legs and leaving

him standing speechless in the middle of his own living

room.

43


46/51

FFFFFlllll y i n g c o l o u r y i n g c o l o u r y i n g c o l o u r y i n g c o l o u r y i n g c o l o u r sssss





Summer had arrived and so had Tims school holidays.

However, at the last moment Tims teacher had assigned

a special homework. They were to write about their home

gardens. Even the students who did not have one, would

have to imagine, and write about what their home garden

would be like if they had one.

For Tim this was an easy task. The days had been sunny

and with the occasional rains his home garden was

blooming with colour. There was so much to write about in

Tims garden, the flowers, the birds, the sun or even the

colours.

From Tims bedroom window he could see, many flowers

of different shapes, colours and sizes as well as dozens of

insects flying around from flower to flower. He could see

the working bees, the hovering wasps, the bright

dragonflies, the jumping crickets and his favorite insect

the colourful butterflies.

44


47/51

They are going to be my subject for this assignment Tim

thought to himself happy to be able to write about such

beautiful creatures. He was so exited that he began writingstraight away.

Butterflies come in all kinds of different sizes, shapes and

coulours Tim began. They exist through out the entire

planet, wherever plants can grow. In order to reach its adult

form the butterfly goes through three stages, egg, caterpillarand pupa. Only after this last stage will the butterfly resemble

the elegant flying insect that we see in our gardens.

Tim continued, In the first stage the butterfly is just a little

egg in a clutch of many. Usually the female butterfly lays

several clutches, normally on a plant that will later serve

the new born caterpillars as food. The caterpillar is a stage

where the butterfly body is very much worm-like. In this

stage growth is very important and so feeding is the main

activity. Once the caterpillars reach adult size they stop

feeding and look for a place to build a cocoon. Inside this

cocoon the caterpillars slowly turn into the butterflies we

see in our gardens. This process is called metamorphosis.

45


48/51

Although they are beautiful creatures, and seem to be

admired by everyone, some butterfly species are at risk of

extinction. The changes in farming and the use of chemicals

are destroying these species habitats and since butterflies

will often feed on only one single species of plant they are

very delicate. It is up to each and every one of us to protect

these amazing creatures, Tim concluded.

After checking his assignment for any mistakes, Tim went

outside and spent the whole afternoon watching his homegarden and all his inhabitants.

46


49/51

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge the seemingly infinite

patience and skill of artists Mr. Asanka De Zoysa and Mr.

Samantha Kumara without whom this publication would

have lost most of its magic.

The author would also like to acknowledge the most

valuable language revision of Miss Roxanne Brown and

last but certainly not least thank Ms. Sudarshani Fernando

and Mr. Sujeewa Jasinghe for the time wasted in

successive draft readings.

47


50/51

The CES was established in January 1998 by a group of inter-disciplinary researchers whose aim was to create a Institute forparticipatory eco-cultural development in Sri Lanka through re-

search, education, awareness and community development. Reg-istered as a Non-governmental Environmental Research InstituteRegistration No: 6/6/17/1/47

CES is concerned with issues pertaining to the present eco-culturalstatus of Sri Lanka and advocates sustainable measures to suitthe local environment and cultures. Collaborative undertakingswith other eco-culture friendly institutes will create an extensivenetwork to promote awareness and foster eco-culturaldevelopment in Sri Lanka.

The majority of CES members are presently involved in variousconsultancy and research-oriented activities for Government andNon-governmental concerns as well as universities.

Objectives

Conduct eco-cultural studiesConduct eco-cultural education, awareness and training

programmesEstablish and maintain an exhibition centre Promote environmentfriendly local industries to assist village communities

Promote eco-cultural tourism in

Sri Lanka

CENTRE FOR ECO-CULTURAL STUDIES (CES)Diyakapilla, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Telephone :066 567016540788753710,

Email:[email protected]@sltnet.lk

Website:

www.cessrilanka.org


51/51

environmental education story book sri lanka ces diogo verissimo (2)

Documents