Essays

Every year when the fruit trees start to flower again, 1 know that another fruit season is just around the corner. With starting regularity and simultaneity, the trees become crowned with red, white or yellow flowers, depending on the type of the tree- It is such a wonderful event, this gift of fruits from the trees and I am very thankful to Nature that we can enjoy these sweet succulent fruits. However, something puzzles me—it is the trees themselves- How do they know when to flower? Do They communicate with one another? From what I have learned in school, trees don't possess calendars nor can they communicate with one another. If that is so then the trees should flower at random and we will not have 'fruit seasons'. Rather we would have fruits at unpredictable periods. However, we do have these 'seasons', the flowering of the trees are definitely not random. So how do we explain this? I am puzzled.

The annual migration of birds and animals is another puzzling thing. The question is—how do they know when to fly south (or north when summer comes to the Northern Hemisphere)—and where to fly to?

There are many other phenomena in the world of nature that are very puzzling. Despite the many explanations put forward, I am not really convinced because they are merely theories and speculations. Too many facts go unexplained. Take for example, life itself on Earth. I have been taught and made to believe that the Earth is the only planet privileged with life. If it is true, then it is indeed astonishing, and puzzling. If there is life elsewhere in the solar system, it is again astonishing and puzzling. The occurrence of life itself is astonishing and puzzling. I have wondered how life began and how the creations are full of discrepancies and contradictions. None can really explain correctly life on Earth. So it remains a puzzle for man to unravel piece by piece, probably never getting to the bottom of the mystery.

Another thing that puzzles me greatly is gravity. From what I have learned in school, gravity is the force of attraction between bodies. There are equations and descriptions about gravity. There are also numerous theories about gravity, but until now, no one can give a satisfactory and complete explanation about gravity. The only definite thing we know is that such a force exists. Why it exists and how it originates is still a great mystery to mankind, and to me- I can only feel awe every time I see gravity in action—the kicked ball returning to the ground, the erosion of soil, the collapse of weak structures and the very fact that the atmosphere is held on to the Earth. If there were no gravity, there would be no life- There would be no air to breathe, no water to drink and worst of all no Earth to live on because there will be no force to hold the components of the Earth together. In fact, there will be no solar system—no galaxy nor the universe as we know it. Reality will be completely different without gravity that is if there is such a reality.

Though puzzling, gravity is indispensable for our continued existence. We can only assume that it will continue to play its important role. If ever one day we wake up to find that gravity is gone, then it will truly be the end of the world.

I suppose that as a human being, I am limited in my knowledge and capability. I can never hope to understand everything that I find puzzling. The only course that remains is to keep on learning about this great puzzle so that we may find some understanding. Finally, when we pass on from this life does it matter anyway?