10 The Field That Won’t Come Back
/10 The Field That Won’t Come Back
*David is a nine-year-old boy who loves visiting his grandmother’s house on weekends.
/*David is a nine-year-old boy who loves visiting his grandmother’s house on weekends.
Near his grandmother’s house, there was a wide field where fresh vegetables and fruits grew with each season.
/Near his grandmother’s house, there was a wide field where fresh vegetables and fruits grew with each season.
One day, when *David went to his grandmother’s house, he was shocked to see the field being dug up by heavy machinery.
/One day, when *David went to his grandmother’s house, he was shocked to see the field being dug up by heavy machinery.
“Grandma, why is that field being destroyed?” he asked.
/“Grandma, why is that field being destroyed?” he asked.
His grandmother answered with a slightly sad expression.
/His grandmother answered with a slightly sad expression.
“They say a new building will be constructed there. But once the building is up, the field can never return.”
/“They say a new building will be constructed there. But once the building is up, the field can never return.”
“Why?” *David asked curiously.
/“Why?” *David asked curiously.
His grandmother quietly explained.
/His grandmother quietly explained.
“A field is a place where the soil grows over a long time.
/“A field is a place where the soil grows over a long time.
Soil that can grow crops is very precious.
/Soil that can grow crops is very precious.
But once it’s covered with concrete, the soil underneath hardens and crops can no longer grow.
/But once it’s covered with concrete, the soil underneath hardens and crops can no longer grow.
That’s why the field won’t come back.”
/That’s why the field won’t come back.”
*David thought for a moment and said, “Then we should think more carefully before building. Sometimes it’s better to keep the field as it is…”
/*David thought for a moment and said, “Then we should think more carefully before building. Sometimes it’s better to keep the field as it is…”
His grandmother smiled and nodded.
/His grandmother smiled and nodded.
“Yes, when we create something, it’s important to think not only about now but also about the future.
/“Yes, when we create something, it’s important to think not only about now but also about the future.
Nature gives us food and air.”
/Nature gives us food and air.”
That night, while eating dinner with his grandmother, *David shared his thoughts.
/That night, while eating dinner with his grandmother, *David shared his thoughts.
“I want to keep protecting fields and forests. I feel happier when nature is around than when there are buildings.”
/“I want to keep protecting fields and forests. I feel happier when nature is around than when there are buildings.”
His grandmother looked at *David gently and said,
/His grandmother looked at *David gently and said,
“That feeling is very important. To protect nature, it’s important to think and act, even in small ways.”
/“That feeling is very important. To protect nature, it’s important to think and act, even in small ways.”
Multiple Choice Review Questions
/Multiple Choice Review Questions
Why can’t crops be grown once a building is built on the field?
/Why can’t crops be grown once a building is built on the field?
a. Because the soil gets covered with concrete and hardens
/a. Because the soil gets covered with concrete and hardens
b. Because the field gets washed away by water
/b. Because the field gets washed away by water
c. Because sunlight can no longer reach it
/c. Because sunlight can no longer reach it
What did *David say he wanted to protect?
/What did *David say he wanted to protect?
a. Nature like fields and forests
/a. Nature like fields and forests
b. New buildings
/b. New buildings
c. His toys
/c. His toys
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
What do you think *David was thinking when he said, “Sometimes it’s better to keep the field as it is”?
/What do you think *David was thinking when he said, “Sometimes it’s better to keep the field as it is”?
Also, how would you feel in that situation?
/Also, how would you feel in that situation?
Is there any nature or place around you that you want to protect?
/Is there any nature or place around you that you want to protect?
Let’s think about what you can do to protect it.
/Let’s think about what you can do to protect it.
