The bad effects of kaingin farming and Addressing persons in distress

[1] Harmful Effects of Slash-and-Burn Farming

SAN ISIDRO is a mountain village. There dwelt Meling and his fellow farmers. Before their coming, the village was a paradise for wildlife. Hornbills and other varieties of birds thrived in the tall trees while pigs, deer and other forms of animals roamed unmolested in the forest floors.

Farmer Meling and his likes are to blame for the rapid loss of the forest. Through the years they cut and cut forest trees as they pleased to make clearings for corn and camote. Indeed, the farm produce makes them happy. But they were unmindful of the bad effects their way of farming would bring to them and the neighborhood.

With the forest gone, wildlife were deprived of their natural habitat; they were driven out or killed and cooked for their meat. The atmosphere in the surroundings changed from cool to hot. The nearby brook, river and spring easily dry up during long summer days. Drought caused water crises for drinking and other purposes. The absence of trees and vegetation brought flash floods that kill and destroy lives, property and crops during rainy seasons.

The families of Meling and those of his fellow tillers had to suffer all of these consequencies for going on with this bad kind of farming which they called kaingin.

[1] What kind of a place is San Isidro? [2] Describe San Isidro before and after the coming of the villagers. Which would you prefer, San Isidro before or after? [3] How did Meling and his fellow farmers earn their living? [4] Is kaingin as a way of farming good? Why? Is it bad? Why?

Related Hub: http://hubpages.com/hub/nick071438-TheWrathOfTheGods

[2] Helping Persons in Distress

LOURDES was rushing home with garlic, salt, spices and cooking oil for the food that her Nanay was cooking that noon. Then- all of a sudden- a dog from nowhere being chased by another crossed her way, causing her to stumble down flat on her face. The poor girl cried unashamedly because of fright. The things she was carrying with scattered in all directions. The cooking oil spilled out to the ground; its bottle container broken. A sharp piece of the broken bottle cut her hand and blood was oozing out from the wound.

Acting on impulse, Tony came to rescue Lourdes. He cautioned her to cry no more. He knew what to do; he mastered first aid treatment from scouting lessons. With a thumb, Tony applied pressure on Lourdes hand just above the wound to stop the bleeding. He washed and cleaned the wound before applying it with medicine.

Lourdes' mother came to thank Tony for his good turn. Lourdes herself also expressed his sincere gratitude to Tony. "Thank you very much, Tony", she uttered smilingly. "Don't mention it", Tony replied humbly. Lourdes' mother reminded her to be watchful all the time. She didn't scold her.

[1] What was Lourdes doing? What happened to the things she was carrying with? [2] What caused her to stumble down? What happened to the cooking oil and its container? [3] What happened to her hand? Why? [4] Who arrived to rescue her? What did Tony do to her wound? [5] After a good turn has been done, what should one say? [6] Have you ever stumble down? Describe your experience.

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