Keep VS. Release

The natural environment of Harriton House was similar to that of our campus in many ways: Plants size, type, distribution...and coor and style of building. Unlike our campus, it had a plain, wide grass field for the brown-white cows and homes for sheeps and horses.

What I was interested in was the habit of bees and the progression of plants in this area. They made me think a lot more about sustainability and meaning of Life.

Bees at the Harriton House are not be caged, locked, pet--they were not kept intentionally.

What really makes them stay? Not cage, not fence, but the natural surroundings that they were attracted to. Those who prefer to stay stayed, and those who wanted to explore were released. "Staying" is not compulsory, yet most of them chose to stay.

They remind me of the squirrels on our campus--those with big, furry tail running around trees and bushes. They were a part of campus and some of them were not afraid of students at all. They collected the wallnuts and played hide and seek among the plants. They behaved in the way they are supposed to be, regardless of the disturbance around--they chose this place to be their home, and they are respected! When people are fighting for human rights this days, animals are fighting, too. But here at Harriton House, at Bryn Mawr, animals are respected and protected.

"Release", giving freedom to animals and plants, could also results that are not so good in some ways, just like the original European plants were replaced by new ones here--but then what, Plant Life still remains, Life continues and move on!

I really hope that, in many other places of the world, there could be many places like the Harriton House, many people like people in the Harriton House. I hope that one day, all people respect plants, and think deeply about the meaning and possible result of "Keep" and "Release" before doing something hurtful to plants or animals!