We leave behind the modernity of the metropolis and step into a lush, natural environment teeming with life: the jungle.
The rain has just stopped, and the greenery is thriving. Light filters through the dense vegetation, illuminating twisted roots and hanging vines, dewdrops on blooming plants, and tiny colourful insects. Silence does not exist here. The jungle is a primordial symphony of sounds: the call of a bird, the rustling of leaves in the wind, the snapping of vines, the steps of a feline, the rush of waterfalls. The air is thick and humid. We are surrounded by a warm, misty haze.
With boots in a puddle, hat on head, and backpack on shoulders, we meet a modern naturalist explorer, examining the rough bark of a towering tree through her portable microscope.
‘What led you to dedicate your life to studying this world?’
‘I’ve loved nature since I was a child. I’ve always been curious to discover hidden life — all that exists even if it’s invisible to the naked eye, and which supports an entire system.’
‘A complex and fascinating system…’
‘Exactly. The jungle is an interconnected ecosystem where every element depends on the others. Look at this tree: its roots intertwine and support one another, allowing it not only to stand tall and strong, but to grow and develop in many directions. Just like in communities — the connections between people, the gestures of care and attention to one’s environment, are all part of a greater design. They’re essential for the stability and growth of the whole system.’
As the explorer’s gaze returns to her microscope, we feel a deep sense of gratitude for the lesson she — and the jungle — have shared: the value of interconnection, of nurturing relationships with people and their environments, true resources that sustain the whole.
Another essential element in our journey. Towards the future.
23/06/2025
