THE BOOK OF NATURE
An inspector was formally inspecting a school
in Kerala, South India. He entered a class where the teacher was teaching geography
with the help of a globe. The children got up and greeted him with respect. The
inspector asked the students, “What is the name of this town?” They answered together, “Kottayam.”
The next question was, “In which state is
Kottayam situated?” They answered, “Kerala.”
He asked again, “To which country does Kerala
belong?”
“India”,
they answered.
He then asked them, “Where is
India?”
A few
students said, “In Asia”.
Next, he asked, “Where is Asia”?
Two students
said, “In the world.”
His final question was, “And where is the
world?”
A bright
student stood up and answered clearly, “In
the hands of God.”
The inspector was greatly
impressed by the confident reply of the student.
The Universe is like an open book, spread out
before us by the Creator. It is a treasure-house revealing the majestic,
miraculous and mysterious works of an infinite intelligence, God. Looking at the exquisite
elegance and harmonious variety of nature, including the beauty of butterflies
and the fragrance of flowers, poets and scientists have praised the glory of
the Creator. Let us read the book of nature, with a sincere vision and a
genuine mission to learn the truth. The truth shall enlighten us.
The
great poet of Malayalam, Mahakavi Kumaranasan, in his famous poem entitled, “PSALM” (സങ്കീർത്തനം) says,
“ചന്തമേറിയ പൂവിലും ശബളാഭമാം ശലഭത്തിലും,
സന്തതം കരതാരിയന്നൊരു ചിത്രചാതുരി കാട്ടിയും,
ഹന്ത! ചാരുകടാക്ഷമാലകൾ അർക്കരശ്മിയിൽ നീട്ടിയും,
ചിന്തയാം മണിമന്ദിരത്തിൽ വിളങ്ങുമീശനെ വാഴ്ത്തുവിൻ.”
These
wise words may be translated as:
“In the blooms
very beautiful and in butterflies which are beauteous,
Ever showing the
artistry of His skilful hands which are marvellous,
And extending
His kindly gaze through the brilliant rays of the blazing sun,
Praise the God
who resides and shines in the mansion of human reflection.”
(Translator: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip)
“To
be wise, you must first have reverence for the Lord. If you know the Holy One,
you have understanding’ {Proverbs 9:
10}.
“The way to become wise is to honour the Lord” {Psalms 111: 10}.
“To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord” {Job 28: 28}.
“Reverence for the Lord is an education in itself” {Proverbs 15: 33}.
“To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the
Lord” {Proverbs 1: 7}.
………………………………………………………………………..
© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Former
Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue,
Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu,
Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public
School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Alfeen Public
School, Kanjirappally, Kerala, India. For more moral stories, parables and
anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit
our web-sites:
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