Today is Arbor Day, also called Tree-planting Day.
Here is the history of this festival :
"In many countries it has long been the tradition to hold an annual tree or forest festival. The origin of such celebrations dates back to antiquity and is in the dawn of religious feeling and awe for what trees represented. However, Arbor Day, as it is commonly known today, is of American origin and evolved from conditions peculiar to the Great Plains. It was first observed in Nebraska in 1872.
The idea, conceived by J.S. Morton, then a member of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, was one of forest conservation. It was a move to promote replanting, following deforestation, and to plant up treeless areas. The idea has spread widely to other lands where it is variously celebrated as the 'Festival of Trees', 'Greening Week' of Japan, 'The New Year's Days of Trees' in Israel, 'The Tree-loving Week' of Korea, 'The Reforestation Week' of Yugoslavia, 'The Students' Afforestation Day' of Iceland and 'The National Festival of Tree Planting' in India. Arbor Day in its various forms is now recognised in more than fifty countries. "
It reminds me of my primary school life, especially the fifth garde, which ,to some extent, may be the most happiest memory in my life. In my mind, it deserves cherishing by every one in our class on matter how long the time has passed by!
There were only nineteen pupils in our class, and only one class in the fifth grade. In the spare time, we usually played games togther as well as studying, regardless of gender. What fun it was !
I clearly remember that on this Ardor Day, we all were forced to plant one tree in our schoolyard. Interestingly, there was one tag with the name of planter hanging on the corresponding tree. My cousin and I took care of one tree cooperatively, for tree seeding was not engough for us to plant. We digged one hole, watered and put the seeding in the hole , then filled the hole with soil, tired but joyfully.
From that on, everybody had one extra lesson to finish--look after his "sweetheart" . Accordingly, we had one topic to discuss, i.e, whose "baby" grew best. Really wonderful time!
Suddenly, they grew bigger and bigger, seemingly in an instant. Our heart were full of delight when seeing the leaves danced in the summer gentle wind.
Now, how long we haven't seen those lovely trees in the charge of us! Maybe 12 years! How are you ,my "baby"? Does you grow up enough to provide shadow ? Does our school become more beautiful with your exsistence? |
