Author: Lucija Marić, Ekonomska škola, Požega
Clear and magnificent, the night sky was the most beautiful ceiling in the whole park. You could see me slowly going to sleep, regenerating during those few hours of complete darkness. That was one of a million things that lured people here. Toxic fumes of modern life were not allowed in here.
This park was not just some grassy piece of land located far from the madding crowd. It was always here, always waiting to be found and to be loved.
I was here all the time.
Let me take you to the beginning.
Ten years ago, mountaineers were headed on an expedition. Their assignment was to explore the west side of the Hidden highlands. It was the most impassable part of the highlands. Therefore, the journey was expected to be time-consuming and exhausting.
They had been preparing themselves for the past two years. That was enough time to examine the soil, climate changes, wildlife, air density and quite a large list of potential difficulties they may struggle with.
February 1, 2007
The official vehicle of the mountain Rescue service transported twenty trained mountaineers to the most dense part of the forest. They headed off into the forest by themselves.
During the first two days, they discovered ten unknown plants and three types of lizards.
The stream that was too large to be called that, started being louder and louder. The further and higher they climbed, the water was rising and the shallow stream manifested itself into a magnificent cascade. Such scene had never been beheld by any of them. The water was drinkable. They set up their camp above the cascade, on a plain meadow, surrounded by three small natural lakes.
Everything got quiet during the night. The crackling sound of fire and the hypnotic overflow of the cascade was their lullaby.
And that, my dear ones, is the story of the discovery of natural park Meadow Highlands.
February 1, 2017
Ten full years passed by since the discovery.
The park was now a national treasure.
The Mountaineering Association has built five cottages and a center for training young scouts and mountaineers. A scientific track leading around the park has been made. Along the track educational panels have been installed. On the meadow, between the lakes, a camp has been set up. It was erected to be the same as the first one.
Tourists and outdoor lovers were coming from all around the world, to film the highest waterfall in Europe. Its name was Grasshopper.
“As you can see, the park was a hidden treasure of nature. For this park to be open, we had to obey its laws and ensure this place is safe for humans, but most importantly, that humans were not able to destroy or anyhow disturb the harmony found within this area” – said one of the managers of the park.
Mr. Cornwall had just finished his annual speech. It was a gift from God for him. All he hoped and prayed for has become a reality. A reality in which he was the one who decides. The park was a part of him. His first love and the first doctor who knew exactly what he needed.
Organizers and sponsors, like Nature Conservation and Future for Nature, prepared a big eco- friendly celebration in honor of the tenth anniversary. Local men and women, tourists, families, nature lovers, politicians… All of them were here. In this place, on this special day. It looked like our future didn’t look so bad after all. They studied about air pollution and trash disposal. They learned what it meant to be afraid of the future, they made their peace with nature and swore never to take it for granted or try to destroy it, even when they wanted to. They swore to the Nature itself. Now, that the bond has been strengthened, we can continue our story.
People were more aware of the damage they caused by throwing litter and expanding concrete buildings. This was for them. This was to show how insignificant little things such as plastic bags and candy wrappers could harm and eventually obliterate the healing power of nature. But everything can be changed in a second, one thought, one word, one deed can be either fatal or victorious.
I am the Nature, I am that hidden treasure, I am here to stay, I am here to bring you air.
So I ask of you one thing.
I ask this of you, knowing my request may be taken lightly.
Take a deep breath and remember this story.
And I hope it will not be just a memory, but a reality.
Sincerely yours,
The Nature
