I received some flowers from one of my acquaintances some days ago. I put them in a transparent cup. The flowers in the cup vase withered as time went by, so I decided to dry them. Although the vivid scarlet color of the petals was fading, even that faded color looked unique, and the scent seemed to remain. I wondered what other living things could have this special color and scent. I just didn’t want to throw away those withering flowers and leaves which got thinner.
Several days later, I put the dried thin leaves and dark scarlet and yellow flowers into a clean plastic bag carefully and blocked the opening of the bag. Of course there are many beautiful flowers preserved by chemicals in the market. But these naturally dried small flowers looked more precious to me.
As the weather got warmer, I bought a bag of vegetable seeds in the market. I planted them in some pots and boxes in my veranda, looking forward to seeing green, tender sprouts which will look like little babies sticking their cute heads out with curiosity. I covered the seeds with soil, patted the surface and watered them.
A few days later, I bought another bag of seeds and planted them in my veranda. One day, returning home from work, I found light green tender sprouts. As time went by, the sprouts grew and became as big as my thumb. It was marvelous and astonishing. I didn’t do much for them to grow. But they were growing and becoming bigger and stronger, while I didn’t notice. I was very happy to harvest some of them, that is, lettuce. However, the other day, I found some of those green leaves and stalks withered, dried up and not growing anymore. I was totally heartbroken over the life of those little, marvelous living things. Is it because I planted too many seeds in a small pot? Did I water them too much or too often? Should I have given them plant nutrients? Many thoughts went through my mind. It was a unique and surprising experience that I did care for the life of those plants earnestly and was worried about them, which had cost me as little as 1,000 won to 2,000 won.
While planting those seeds and growing them, I felt that there is something so wonderfully connected between humans and the rest of nature. I mean not only those short green plants, but also so many rustic or splendid flowers, trees around my home or huge, magnificent trees or grass swaying as if dancing in the wind. I am astounded, moved and even often inspired, looking at the small, tender violet and yellow flowers blooming on common cold stone stairs or in the small grassy field around my home. The colors of those flowers are inexpressibly vivid and splendid. Though they must cost no money, and even worse, they might be dubbed weeds, they are more beautiful and valuable in my eyes than any expensive, artificial flowers or even high-end jewelry.
Looking up to the sky, I am always amazed at how eternal and majestic the sky is. How unfathomable the sky is... And what about the Earth? The Earth has grandeur. The Earth makes plants sprout, flowers bloom, streams and rivers flow endlessly. The Earth gives us food and shelter. We all owe much debt to the Earth, and nature.
Even though I was living like an urban farmer for a short period of time, this experience gave me a priceless lesson. What makes life valuable and worthwhile? How shall I live in order to be truly happy and pleasant? It would be to care for, cherish, love and serve people around me as much as I did for those amazing little plants. No. Far more than I cherished and cared for the plants. I am delighted that I am learning a lesson again today looking at green refreshing leaves of scindapsus on my table.
Lee Nan-hee studied English in college and theology at Hanshin University.
An urban farmer
25
0
20.05.2024
I received some flowers from one of my acquaintances some days ago. I put them in a transparent cup. The flowers in the cup vase withered as time went by, so I decided to dry them. Although the vivid scarlet color of the petals was fading, even that faded color looked unique, and the scent seemed to remain. I wondered what other living things could have this special color and scent. I just didn’t want to throw away those withering flowers and leaves which got thinner.
Several days later, I put the dried thin leaves and dark scarlet and yellow flowers into a clean plastic bag carefully and blocked the opening of the bag. Of course there are many beautiful flowers preserved by chemicals in the market. But these naturally dried small flowers looked more precious to me.
As the weather got warmer, I bought a bag of vegetable seeds in the market. I planted them in some pots and boxes in my veranda, looking forward to seeing........
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