03 A Connection of Five Billion Years
/03 A Connection of Five Billion Years
*Lucas was a ten-year-old boy full of curiosity, and one day he learned about the history of Earth in his science class at school.
/*Lucas was a ten-year-old boy full of curiosity, and one day he learned about the history of Earth in his science class at school.
The teacher said, “Earth was born about five billion years ago. During that time, life appeared, plants grew, animals were born, and a world where humans could live was created.”
/The teacher said, “Earth was born about five billion years ago. During that time, life appeared, plants grew, animals were born, and a world where humans could live was created.”
Interested in the story, *Lucas asked his mother after school, “Five billion years is such a long time! How did Earth become what it is today?”
/Interested in the story, *Lucas asked his mother after school, “Five billion years is such a long time! How did Earth become what it is today?”
His mother thought for a moment and replied, “That’s because over five billion years, nature slowly changed and nurtured the Earth.
/His mother thought for a moment and replied, “That’s because over five billion years, nature slowly changed and nurtured the Earth.
For example, trees clean the air, and rivers carry water that nurtures life.”
/For example, trees clean the air, and rivers carry water that nurtures life.”
That weekend, *Lucas visited a local forest with his mother.
/That weekend, *Lucas visited a local forest with his mother.
On the way, they met a man who was taking care of the forest.
/On the way, they met a man who was taking care of the forest.
“Hello! Are you interested in this forest too?” the man asked with a smile.
/“Hello! Are you interested in this forest too?” the man asked with a smile.
“How was the forest created over five billion years?” *Lucas asked.
/“How was the forest created over five billion years?” *Lucas asked.
The man replied, “The forest was nurtured over a long time by rain, sunlight, and the work of animals.
/The man replied, “The forest was nurtured over a long time by rain, sunlight, and the work of animals.
But now, forests are being destroyed more often. People cut down too many trees and cover the land with concrete.”
/But now, forests are being destroyed more often. People cut down too many trees and cover the land with concrete.”
Feeling a bit sad, *Lucas asked, “Can a destroyed forest be restored?”
/Feeling a bit sad, *Lucas asked, “Can a destroyed forest be restored?”
The man nodded and said, “It’s hard to restore it completely, but by planting new trees and using nature wisely, we can protect Earth’s future.”
/The man nodded and said, “It’s hard to restore it completely, but by planting new trees and using nature wisely, we can protect Earth’s future.”
Walking through the forest, *Lucas felt that nature was a treasure created over five billion years.
/Walking through the forest, *Lucas felt that nature was a treasure created over five billion years.
He whispered, “If we don’t protect nature, we’ll break the connection of five billion years.”
/He whispered, “If we don’t protect nature, we’ll break the connection of five billion years.”
That night, *Lucas wrote in his picture diary, “I met a man in the forest and remembered that Earth was created over five billion years.
/That night, *Lucas wrote in his picture diary, “I met a man in the forest and remembered that Earth was created over five billion years.
To protect this connection, I want to try planting trees and reducing trash.”
/To protect this connection, I want to try planting trees and reducing trash.”
Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
/Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
What did *Lucas hear in the forest that was created over a long time?
/What did *Lucas hear in the forest that was created over a long time?
a. Nature and forests
/a. Nature and forests
b. Toy factories
/b. Toy factories
c. Only deserts
/c. Only deserts
What method did the man mention to protect the forest?
/What method did the man mention to protect the forest?
a. Plant new trees and use nature wisely
/a. Plant new trees and use nature wisely
b. Cut down all the trees
/b. Cut down all the trees
c. Leave the forest alone
/c. Leave the forest alone
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
How do you think *Lucas felt when he sensed the “connection of five billion years”?
/How do you think *Lucas felt when he sensed the “connection of five billion years”?
Also, how do you feel after learning about Earth’s long history?
/Also, how do you feel after learning about Earth’s long history?
What can you do in your daily life to protect nature?
/What can you do in your daily life to protect nature?
Think about it and talk with the people around you.
/Think about it and talk with the people around you.
