My cousin Su and I have a unique rapport, which quite frankly, we don't understand ourselves. It's not to be questioned, however, and the fact is that I'm glad we both came out of our corners when we did and decided to get to know each other. He's rather arbitrary, but genius and I wouldn't have him any other way. Among our many private humours, we have this inside joke about Cacti (if I had to explain it, it would no longer be our inside joke), so you'll just have to be content with knowing it originated from one of the ASDF movies - its variations and uses, however, are limitless and inexplicable.
The thing is though, I do have much respect for the Cactus. If there were a plant that ever were to represent everything man should be, it would be the Cactus, for, "...It has humility but it is not submissive. It grows where no other plant will grow. It does not complain when the sun bakes its back, or the wind tears it from the cliff or drowns it in the dry sand of the desert or when it is thirsty. When the rains come it stores water for the hard times to come. In good times and in bad it will still flower. It protects itself against danger, but it harms no other plant. It adapts perfectly to almost any environment. It has patience and enjoys solitude..." (Doc, The Power of One).
The more I think about it, the more it begins to mean more to me than a bit of a laugh here and there. The Cactus, my dear, lovely people of Planet Pinus, is quite a remarkable organism.
While we're on the topic of plants, I'd like to share two more of my favourite quotes. Many of you (especially those learners who I taught in grade eleven at the beginning of this year) know how much I love Ben Johnson's poem, "The Noble Nature". Well, I'd like to share some of it, which came to mind when I read the quote that follows it, whilst reading The Power of One today:
I don't say this often enough either, but I think I should, since I'm preaching about human disposition and the business of living...Thank you Ordinary Guy, for the multitude of short measures in which life has perfect been.
The thing is though, I do have much respect for the Cactus. If there were a plant that ever were to represent everything man should be, it would be the Cactus, for, "...It has humility but it is not submissive. It grows where no other plant will grow. It does not complain when the sun bakes its back, or the wind tears it from the cliff or drowns it in the dry sand of the desert or when it is thirsty. When the rains come it stores water for the hard times to come. In good times and in bad it will still flower. It protects itself against danger, but it harms no other plant. It adapts perfectly to almost any environment. It has patience and enjoys solitude..." (Doc, The Power of One).
The more I think about it, the more it begins to mean more to me than a bit of a laugh here and there. The Cactus, my dear, lovely people of Planet Pinus, is quite a remarkable organism.
While we're on the topic of plants, I'd like to share two more of my favourite quotes. Many of you (especially those learners who I taught in grade eleven at the beginning of this year) know how much I love Ben Johnson's poem, "The Noble Nature". Well, I'd like to share some of it, which came to mind when I read the quote that follows it, whilst reading The Power of One today:
A lilly of a dayAnd to conclude, here's a little bit of wisdom for us all, "It is better just to get on with the business of living and minding your own business and maybe, if God likes the way you do things, he may just let you flower for a day or a night." (Doc, The Power of One).
Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night -
it was the plant and flower of Light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.
I don't say this often enough either, but I think I should, since I'm preaching about human disposition and the business of living...Thank you Ordinary Guy, for the multitude of short measures in which life has perfect been.
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