subject: The Mountain [print this page] Once there was a mountainOnce there was a mountain. She stood strong and proud. She was covered with huge trees. Monkeys, birds, and insects played among the branches of the trees. Bees made their hives high on the branches too. Ferns and creepers grew on the trees. The air was cool and pure. The rain brought fresh water. The water was clean and clear. The rivers and waterfalls had their homes here. The rivers were full of fish. The forest people lived on the fish and the plants found there. They used the water from the water from the river for drinking, washing their clothes, and for watering their crops. All was peaceful on the mountain. Then some people came from the city. They saw the great mountain and her beautiful green crown. What large trees! Lets cut them down and use the wood to build our houses and bridges, they said. Hurriedly, they came with their saws and machine to cut down the trees. The monkeys and birds screamed. Theyre taking away our homes! Leave us alone, please, they cried. However, the greedy people did not hear them. Soon, the sides of the mountain were bare. When the heavy rains came, the soil loosened and flowed into the rivers. It blocked the river mouths. The rivers became muddy and dirty. The fish in the rivers died. The forest people came to fish. However, they went home sad and empty handed. They ask the mountain ,What has happened to our lovely trees and clear rivers? The mountain hung her head sadly.
