The Mountain

Once there was a mountain. She stood strong anduse the wood to build our houses and bridges,”
proud. She was covered with huge trees. Monkeys,they said.
birds, and insects played among the branches of theHurriedly, they came with their saws and machine to
trees. Bees made their hives high on the branchescut down the trees.
too. Ferns and creepers grew on the trees. The airThe monkeys and birds screamed.
was cool and pure. The rain brought fresh water. The“They’re taking away our homes! Leave us
water was clean and clear. The rivers and waterfallsalone, please,” they cried. However, the greedy
had their homes here. The rivers were full of fish.people did not hear them.
The forest people lived on the fish and the plantsSoon, the sides of the mountain were bare. When
found there. They used the water from the waterthe heavy rains came, the soil loosened and flowed
from the river for drinking, washing their clothes, andinto the rivers. It blocked the river mouths. The rivers
for watering their crops. All was peaceful on thebecame muddy and dirty. The fish in the rivers died.
mountain.The forest people came to fish. However, they went
Then some people came from the city. They sawhome sad and empty handed. They ask the mountain
the great mountain and her beautiful green crown.,”What has happened to our lovely trees and
“What large trees! Let’s cut them down andclear rivers?” The mountain hung her head sadly.