VOICES OF THE WOODLANDS
By Kimberly
The Ending
They can hear the man saying, “. . . how nice it would be if your woodland will be cut down and then we can build a nice establishment here where you could easily buy everything you want. And when I say everything, I mean everything! This is the only way you could be rich and attain your most high goals and wishes in your lives. You will be able to be a popular and important people. I also remind you that we are in a very modernized world. So, why would you stay backward if others are following a much bigger path? Any objections or comments?” he looked at the crowd who is whispering. “So there are no obje– “
“I object!” a girl from behind shouted. “I object, Mr. Santiago.” The crowd parted into two to let the girl followed by a boy, which they assumed her brother. Chiare walked confidently. Again, the buzzing and the whispering of the crowd are heard.
Chiare took hold of the microphone and stated, “Dear Mr. Santiago. Before you have gone in our place, this town was orderly and peaceful. It has the sense of being in a country place. To sum up all, I protest because that woodland gave us such sentimental value. Now if you will destroy the woodland, it looks like that you have destroyed the sentimental value we have. That woodland is inhabited by thousands of insects and animals we are known for. We could not just give it away. We all know in science that humans need oxygen. The plants and trees produce oxygen that we breathe. If all the trees and plants were all vanished, where do we suppose to get fresh air?” questioned Chiare. “That woodland has a place in our hearts. There is a space for that woodland. And besides the wind whistle and the trees talk to you. If you will just listen then it will hear its words of gratitude. You may think that I am a fool, but if you believe then you will see.”
The crowd started to whisper louder and louder until the Town Hall was noisy. The mayor tried to calm down the crowd but only was in vain. The Mayor was disappointed and Mr. Santiago raged with anger. He did not know what to say. He lost against the little girl. Seeing Mr. Santiago disappointed, she suggested, “Mr. Santiago, why don’t you just relocate your establishment to a better location in our village? Do you think it is a good idea?”
Mr. Santiago agreed after a while, accepting the defeat with a girl. After a long celebration, the mayor, together with Mr. Santiago bid the crowd goodbye. Chiare and Yoha were exhausted. They were very tired of today’s event that they forgot that they already missed their classes, again. That matter will just wait for tomorrow.
Literature | Comment (0)VOICES OF THE WOODLANDS
By Kimberly
Part 4
Tomorrow, Wednesday morning, 5:30, Chiare woke up early and tried to waken up Yoha who is still sounds asleep. It was a beautiful morning for the nature agreed. But for Chiare this is nightmare. At last, Yoha woke up and dressed they kissed their mother and father who both are dumbfounded and didn’t bother to touch their breakfast. They ride on their bike and started looking for Mr. Santiago. As Chiare was eager to stop Mr. Santiago in her mind, Yoha asked,
“Do you know where they are? It has been 45 minutes and I feel cold.” Chiare stopped and was surprised. For 45 minutes she was thinking the plans they could do or those she can say but she never ever have thought were he will be.
“You are right, Yoha,” she said. “I actually never thought of that.” Chiare thinks, ‘If I were a business man and I would declare something important, were would I go?’
Yoha stared at his sister. “In the swimming pool? Someone’s house? In his own house? Wherever?” suggested Yoha but Chiare seems not to hear. “In the roof? Under a tree? In the mayor’s hall? In the –“
Chiare answer. “No, not in the mayor’s hall. The mayor’s hall is small. It must be larger; better, almost all people can go in.” Yoha smiled, “Oh, I know. In the Town Hall! Chiare, in the Town Hall!” Chiare still thinks, “It must be another hall, but what is that ‘another hall’?”
“Chiare, in the Town Hall! You see it is big, better and it is in the center so all people can hear.”
“It must be at the center,” Chiare still thinks. “Center. Oh, I know. It must be the Town Hall!” Yoha thinks it better not to talk about it.
The two quickly took the route to the Town Hall. As they get nearer, they ca see people crowding the Town Hall and was relieve that they were right this time. They can see the man whom they saw the night they talked about banishing the woodlands. It seems that they are late…
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