Kind to all kinds

An army of ants paraded in a single file dodging two shiny little shoes. Frothing out of a burrow at the foot of a golden shower tree, the mini marchers hauled food crumbs, insect parts, seeds and grains, and plant fibers on their inconspicuous shoulders.

Fascinated, Siri watched in rapt attention. This was among her favourite activities in Miss Hope’s Friday sessions, Tattle with Nature, under a canopy of trees in the school’s rose garden. The bugs, the bees, the birds, the butterflies, all flew in and out of the open-air class. The crawlers found a seat too, and the squirrels appeared in short bursts.

Perched next to Miss Hope, Siri’s mind went out on a stroll. She had seen similar ant cavalcades at home too, around the potted plants on the veranda, probing the sugar and jaggery jars in the kitchen, trying to invade the confectionery boxes brought in by guests. “Like me, do they also have a sweet tooth?” she paused to ponder and grinned under her breath.

In Tattle with Nature, Miss Hope simply let the little explorers be. The children knew how to busy themselves. And certainly, they had a thousand things to relay back to their teacher. However, every session ended with a lesson. And today it was on kindness. “Children, always remember one thing. We have to be kind to all kinds. If you see a stray pup, feed it some biscuits. Leave a bowl of water in your backyard for the thirsty birds. And yes, don’t just pluck a flower, pet it gently and let the blooming beauty be,” said Miss Hope.

Though engrossed, Siri was all ears. As the ants soldiered on, she finally budged and cautiously moved her shoes to the left, making an easier passage for the ever slogging six-legged workers.

“Be kind to all kinds…” Siri just showed how it's done.

(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge)