I was intrigued by his long flowing beard and his bent back as he slowly made his way around the temple with his walking stick. I could see within him the fading strength of his hard working younger days. I wondered what stories and wisdom lived within him. Here are his words; “I used to climb the hill near Lokkere every Monday to go the cave on top. A sage lived there. I would go alone and often at night. There used to be elephants, tigers, bisons, deer, and many other wild life living in the forest. But I was not afraid of anything. The forest creatures never did anything to me even though I often fell asleep up there. When I used to take flowers to offer to god and walk up, if there were any animals they would see me and go away. My path would be completely clear. Why be afraid of the forest? The forest is where so many animals are living and that means that we can also live in it. It has everything we need and everything has its own place. The biggest change that I have seen in my life is that people do not live in the forest anymore. Humans should learn to live in the forest. It gives so much. When Rama, Laxman, and Sita were sent into the forest who is it that took care of them? There were no relatives or friends and so it was the forest that took care of them, fed them, and protected them. If the forest grows there is so much benefit to everyone and so it is important for the forest to be well. Conservation of the forest is essential. People have forgotten how to live in the forest, the old way of life is gone, and the wisdom has vanished.”
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