What We Get from the Earth
Beyond its beauty and its role in our health, nature is also a generous provider. It gives us countless essential gifts that we use every single day, often without even thinking about it. From the food on our plates to the houses we live in, almost everything around us is connected to the natural world. These resources are fundamental for human life and civilization.
Let's consider the most basic gift: water. Clean, fresh water is absolutely vital for drinking, cooking, and farming. In places like Osorno, we are fortunate because much of our water is sourced from pure rivers and lakes, which are fed by mountain snowmelt. This water is then treated to make it safe for consumption. Without this precious resource, life as we know it would be impossible. Another crucial gift is the soil, which is where most of our food is grown. Crops like wheat, corn, and vegetables are cultivated in fertile soil, which provides the necessary nutrients.
Furthermore, nature supplies us with a wide variety of materials. Wood, for example, is used to build homes, furniture, and even paper. Here in Chile, native trees are often used in traditional crafts and construction. Minerals, which are found deep within the earth, are extracted to make everything from our phones to the cars we drive. Even the clothes we wear are often made from natural fibers like cotton, which comes from plants, or wool, which comes from animals. It's clear that a lot of what we need to survive and thrive is provided by the Earth. Understanding these gifts helps us appreciate the deep connection we have with nature and reminds us of our responsibility to use these resources wisely.
The Old Wooden House
Grandpa Pedro loved to tell stories about his childhood home, a small, cozy house near Frutillar, just south of Osorno. "That house was special," he would say, his eyes twinkling. "It was built entirely from local wood, strong alerce and coihue trees that grew right here in the forest. The timber was carefully cut and shaped by hand. The floors were made of thick, smooth planks, and the walls were warm and inviting."
He remembered the smell of the wood, especially on rainy days, a deep, earthy scent that filled every room. The windows were small, but they offered beautiful views of the surrounding hills, which were covered in green. "Even the furniture was crafted from wood," he explained. "The table where we ate our meals, the chairs where we sat – everything was a gift from the forest." He would often say that the house felt alive, almost like another tree, because it was so closely connected to nature. It was a reminder of the many valuable materials we get from the earth, and how they can be used to create something beautiful and lasting.
The Farmer's Secret
Elena was a young farmer in a small valley outside Osorno. Her family had been growing vegetables for generations, and she was proud of their rich, dark soil. One dry summer, however, the crops were struggling. The sun was beating down mercilessly, and the ground was becoming hard and cracked. "We don't have much water left," her father said, looking worriedly at the sky. "If we don't get rain soon, we will lose everything."
Elena knew that water was the most important gift for her farm. She remembered her grandmother telling her that "the earth is a living thing that needs to drink." So, Elena decided to try something new. She started collecting rainwater in large barrels during the occasional light showers, and she used it very carefully for the plants that were most important. She also learned about a special technique where she would cover the soil with dry leaves to keep it moist. Slowly, her plants began to recover. The vegetables were growing again, vibrant and healthy. Elena realized that a lot of what we need to survive comes from the earth, but we must also work with nature, understanding its rhythms and respecting its precious gifts. She understood that if she used water wisely, her farm would continue to provide food for many people who depended on it.
