Natural Resources

I am the cool, clear water you drink on a sunny day. I am the juicy red berries you pick from a bush and pop into your mouth. Mmm, yummy. I am the tall, strong trees in the park that give you shade when you play hide-and-seek. Their leaves rustle in the wind and say hello. I am the soft, fluffy cotton that makes your favorite t-shirt so comfy and warm. I am all the wonderful gifts that come from our big, beautiful Earth. Hello there. You can call me Natural Resources, and I am so happy to meet you.

A very, very long time ago, even before your grandparents' grandparents were born, the first people discovered my secrets. This was during a time called the Stone Age, which began over 2 million years ago. Wow, that's a long time. These early people saw that my hard, gray stones could be shaped into tools. They used them for cutting things and for building their homes. They learned that my wood from the tall trees could make a warm, crackly fire. The fire kept them warm on chilly nights, cooked their food, and made a happy glow for telling stories. They drank my fresh, cool water from wiggly rivers. They also used my dark, rich soil to grow the very first gardens, planting tiny seeds that grew into yummy food. I helped them stay safe, warm, and happy every single day.

Today, you still use my amazing gifts every single day. The yummy food you eat for breakfast, the paper in the books you read, and the cozy house you live in are all made from parts of me. I love helping you learn, grow, and play. And you can help me too. When you help your family plant a bright flower in the garden or remember to turn off the water when you brush your teeth, you are taking care of me. It's like giving the Earth a big, warm hug. And when we take care of each other, I can keep giving my amazing gifts to everyone for a long, long, long time to come.