A Woman In The Dying Woods

The town of San Martin, known for its prosperity in agricultural production has been struck by a certain
calamity, commonly known as El Nio. In its eastern part where a dying forest lay, there lived an old
woman which its house is built above the tree. The calamity brings drought to the whole town, making all
the plants and trees withered, except the tree where the old womans house held. This tree is being
supported by a strong and wide trunk, its branches and twigs spread all over the midair forming like an
umbrella. It has an emerald green leaves, accessorize by the crawling vines where flowers sprout and
bloom on its tip. The old woman is sorting a variety of crops when she hears someone is shouting below.

Child : Help! Help! Help! (gasping)

Old Woman : (She peeps at her window and hurries down by swinging in the vines) Yes, my dear child.
What can I do for you? (Smiling)
Child: Im really thirsty. ( His lips are dry and pale. He is catching his breath) Could you offer me a glass
of water? Ive been looking for a spring or any bodies of water for the whole day but I cant find some. I
guess the whole town is completely dried up.
Old Woman : Come inside. (She assists him in climbing over to her house above. She offers him a glass
of water from her old ceramic jar and a watermelon.)
Child: Thank you. Im grateful I found your house. Actually Im curious why is it happening to us? Are
we being punished? What really caused this calamity?
Old Woman : No, were not. We are hit by a natural phenomenon called El Nio. Mostly, it begins during
December thats why it is being called El Nio because it means Christ Child.
Child : Why does it really happen? We dont deserve this. It already killed a lot of people due to
starvation and heat stroke. Animals and plants were dead too. There is a lack of water supply and not only
that, its been few weeks already that I havent watched my favorite cartoon show because of
simultaneous brownout. (Chews a slice of watermelon)
Old Woman : It makes me sad knowing that but I cannot do anything. El Nio is a natural phenomenon
characterized by unusual increase in ocean surface temperatures or warming in the eastern part of Pacific
Ocean. It occurs every two to seven years, which lasts for several months or worst, a year or more.
Child: Please explain further. I dont understand a thing.
Old Woman: El Nio may caused stronger thunderstorm disturbance and massive storms but most likely,
it brings severe drought to the affected area. Normally, as trade winds moves from east to west, it collects
warm air. But when this trade wind weakened, it causes the piling up of warm surface water and making
the part of the Pacific Ocean warmer leading to El Nio phenomenon. This happens when the upwarding
of cooler water is blocked by the larger quantities of warm surface water.
Child : (Still in confusion, his forehead wrinkles) Uhm

Old Woman : During El Nio, due to some changes, it causes diminishing rainfall that resulted to drought.
Why? Let me give you a scenario. There is a pot of plant and it needs to be watered a glass each day but
what if it only gets a drop of water and the sun continuously emits heat into it. What will happen after
several days? It will dry up sooner right?
Child: That explains well. So it cannot be prevented since its a natural phenomenon?
Old Woman : Yes, but you can lessen its effect. Though it is inevitable to happen, preparedness will do.
Since it can be forecasted, before it strikes, people must learn to store enough food and water supply.
Also, people should preserve and conserve water. Freshwater has been diminished as time goes by. It
could no longer hold the overpopulation of the country and becomes worst when El Nio strikes. So as a
youth, I am hoping that you will influence and educate your family, friends and society to do the right
thing for our environment.
Child : I will remember that. Thank you for your kindness.
Old Woman : No worries. By the way, Ill let you take home a gallon of water and some crops for your
family. (Smiling brightly.)
The child expresses his profound gratitude, asks her name and bids goodbye. All people called her
Mother. She was once the most beautiful lady of all time but as time goes by, she lost her great beauty as
people continue destroying it.