Earth is affected by humans!

Once, all the creatures on Earth, from ants to elephants, little rats to lions, tigers, antelopes, deer, sheep and every other creature had great complaints. So they decided to visit God! Every one of them gathered around God and started to protest and grumble.

The ants uttered -- “We may be one of your smallest creations, God, but we have attained a right to live. Each day, millions or billions of ants get eradicated. How do we live such a life, God, where death may just be a step away?”

God was about to reply, but just then all the elephants, camels and horses appeared and started to whimper. “Lord!” they began, “we deserve a better life like that of all those humans out there.”

The elephants complained that they are treated brutally during a circus. They said, “We're beaten with bullhooks and shocked with electric prods. And then we have to carry and hold people on our backs for fun rides. Aren't cars, airplanes, helicopters, bikes, ships, cycles and other modes of transportation enough for them? How cruel!”

The hens, cocks, goats and sheep asked God why the humans kill and eat them despite being provided sufficient food. “Why do they destroy our one and only life? Shame on such humans!” they exclaimed.

These lamentations brought tears in the eyes of God, and he started sobbing and weeping. After he composed himself, God remarked, “Had I created humans for this purpose? Well, then, shame on my creation! I know they can get selfish... Yes, I did create the cycle of birth and death. But all this murdering, killing, consuming animals as food and all the other sins they do – it makes me feel ashamed every moment.”

“I love them all,” he continued, “but perhaps I have pampered them too much. And now they're up to such ruthless things. Take a look around the Earth. Pollution levels, garbage thrown around everywhere, dirty rivers, corruption, crimes, everything. My Earth is in danger. It is finally the time for me to teach humans a good lesson! Nature has to heal! You animals deserve justice... Now is the time, you see!”

Yes, and following this short but powerful statement, God was on his way to teach the human species a great lesson!

And then came death, in the form of the novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. True, it's a scientific phenomenon, but it is also a punishment from the Almighty.

There are many theories on the origin of the coronavirus. Covid cases were first observed in Wuhan, China. The first few cases were linked to a seafood market. It is being said that various types of animals were being consumed by people which brought about the coronavirus. But these allegations have not been proven so far.

Nevertheless, it is really bad to eat animals. They, too, have some rights. Why are we so ruthless? Imagine a world without animals – it will be like a book without pages!

Well, many of our species on this planet are now extinct. I say, with a changed mindset, let's together make Earth a better place for humans and animals alike. God has paid as much attention to the grasshopper as he has to us. So, when the source of creation has given equal attention to the grasshopper and humans, who are we to think that the grasshopper is a lowly creature and we some super beings?

Let's respect every creature. Somehow, we all are murderers, because at some point in our lives, we may have killed an ant or a mosquito. Nature blessed humanity with immunity for its survival. But humans could not maintain it and here we are, paying it back.

Also, we're now locked up like the animals whom we had locked up and brutalised. I have learnt my lessons and so should you all. Let's show humanity and compassion not just to other humans but to all living beings on this planet.

Some people believe 'money is everything', and many rich people have built underground shelters to protect their expensive items in case there is destruction on the surface. I have a question for them – where will they take all their money after death? Is money curing corona?

What to do?

We tend to spot imperfections in others, but we also need to hold up a mirror to ourselves to see our own follies and improve them bit by bit. Also, being kind would really help. Let's enhance our humanity, stay open-minded and adopt a simple and healthy lifestyle. Anything that is good for us, we must add it to our lives. Simple, isn't it?

We are guests on Earth, not the controllers of Earth.

Thank You.

Naini Pandit

The writer is a Class VIII student based in Sanjauli, Shimla. Views are personal.

Picture by: Alena Koval