Planting a garden

New York: Scholastic Press

2011

The beach is empty this early in the morning. The waves lap in and out. I spot a bunch of little sucking black holes in the sand. Fiddler crabs. As I walk, breathing in and out, the Willa worries wash away and my mind is a fresh, clear slate.

It’s in moments like this, when I least expect it, that some of my best ideas come. And so what can I do?

I pick up my pace. I breathe in and out. I want to do something nice for the planet… something that involves books. I think about finding that book belonging to that girl from Atlanta. I noticed it wasn’t on the stairs today. I wonder who’s enjoying it now.

I think of my books. How I told Dr. Swammy that I don’t lend them out because they are my favorite possessions and …

Give them away, from Willa, with love.

What?

I stop walking. I feel a spark of excitement.

Give them away, from Willa, with love.

These are my words, my own voice inside me.

My books? Give my books away? All of my beautiful, wonderful books? Many given as gifts from the people I love? Most with my thoughts scribbled throughout… a lasting record of how I felt at eight and nine and ten and eleven and twelve and thirteen and fourteen and …?

Think of it as planting a garden, Willa.

There it is again, my voice inside me. Ideas are spark-spark-sparking in my head.

“Come on, Salty. Let’s run!”

I need to get home to my desk where there’s paper so I can get all of this down.
… …
I think of the girl from Atlanta who left her book on the beach. Maybe she did so intentionally! Maybe she wanted to pass it on! I picture the young tourist girl who thought she saw the mermaid. How sad she must have been leaving Cape Cod, crossing back over that roller-coaster bridge to the mainland from her vacation. I imagine her sitting in the backseat of her parents’ minivan, taking one last look down at the waves of the Cape Cod Canal. But, then, what if she remembered that treasure she found… maybe on a bench on Main Street. She glances down at her lap, at the book she is holding. It’s The BFG, by Roald Dahl… my copy of The BFG. She opens the cover and reads aloud the book plate:

Take me home, free, if you wish to read,
Then, when you are finished, replant the seed.
Leave me somewhere for a new friend to find.
A book is a perennial thing,
It blooms on and on and on.

From Cape Cod, With Love
Willa Havisham

I stop writing. My hand is shaking. I start to laugh. I feel a sizzle of happiness. I love this idea. What can I do? I think I know now. I think this is it!

Extract contributed by Vinn Wong Kai Xuan, Associate Librarian

What would you like to do to make this planet a better place?

8 Responses to “Planting a garden”

goh lee hoon Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
slow down my pace of life
more time to look around
more time to chat with friendly people in the street
less traffic on the road
more natural things around
less shopping commercial stuff
less computer surfing internet
more walking
less dependant on technology
Letha Says:
January 13th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I’d like to stop ALL forms of animal cruelty. For once, it shouldn’t be all about humans. The animals are, perhaps more than us humans, a greater part of the planet. And they shouldn’t have to suffer for anything, anyone. If animal cruelty can’t even be stopped, then I feel the planet is just going to be in a downward spiral.
Kevin Says:
January 14th, 2012 at 12:28 am
The problems on our planet can be traced to one root cause: the scarcity mentality.

If I can change the planet for the better, I will like to cultivate in everyone the mentality of abundance! Reminding folks that there is ALWAYS more than enough for everybody. Be it for good health, adequate finances or healthy relationships.

Only when we can change our way of thinking to believe we do not have to fight with each other selflessly for resources do we start to realize there are sufficient ways and means to feed everyone on Earth. To share in the richness that permeates our planet. To leave our environment in good hands for future generations.
Apple Says:
January 14th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
What an inspiring excerpt from the book, thanks for sharing.

The idea of planting a garden reminds me of philanthropist Tan Kah Kee who emphasised the importance of library as “spreading the seeds of knowledge”. I think it is also this spirit of giving for the public good that has spurred on his donation of money and efforts in pre-modern Singapore society.

To make this planet a better place, such disposition of paying it forward is essential. From the ecological perspective, we may support local or international wildlife conservation efforts and eco-friendly practices rangin from individual to corporations. Yet, it is also important to perpetuate and sustain such mindset and attitude in people around us as well as future generations.

While we can do something, spreading an act of kindness, be it forgiving misdeeds or improving the current status quo, would definitely make our planet a better place to live in.
Yap Qi Says:
January 16th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
It’s actually quite cool to do this kind of thing, passing it on. Passing kindness on is sadly rare nowadays, where people just choose to mind their own businesses. This actually distances us more, and it is no wonder that society has degraded to such a standard. We should start caring for one another. Why not do a good deed for someone? A stranger, a friend, your family.. It doesn’t need to be some grand gesture, it can be just a kind word or some small gesture of helping one another, listening to your friends. It might not seem much but it certainly means a lot to the person. A small deed, accumulate it over time and you just might be able to change the world! Stop caring only about yourself, care about others.
Chee Boon Says:
January 20th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
I would like to put on a smile on my face and wish the whole world smiles with me!
Vanish Says:
August 1st, 2012 at 10:20 am
First of all, I would like to stop the people who are cruel. They kidnap people, behave rudely etc. These people should thrown out of this plant. Our motherly earth is very innocent. We want innocent people to be in earth!
Miesha Ledwig Says:
August 3rd, 2012 at 2:20 pm
I looks like a dent. Sharp eyes Lou.