The Three R Plan

The Three R Plan

" Save the Kingdom" The king looked out and sighed, " Our kingdom, once so beautiful, grows barren and dies more and more each day. " The queen joined the king at the window. " The hills were once filled with trees, wildlife was plentiful, and the air was clean and fresh. Now, even our babbling creek is murky and polluted. Our citizens work hard, and yet they seem too tired to enjoy the rewards of their labor. Is this what our children have to anticipate in life?"

It was true-the land was abused and overused, and the people were unhappy and too busy. The king looked at his own beloved wife. " Surely we have intelligent people living among us. Someone must know the solution to save our dying land! "

The king called for his court magistrate. " Tell the people that I will award the royal position of Official Land Steward to the person who solves the problem of our decaying land. That person will be allowed to live in the castle for the rest of his or her days. If this problem goes unsolved, hope will fade and our future will be threatened. "

Away from the castle lived three men, Ricardo, Roger, and Randy. Some might consider them country folk, but each lived happily in his own way. Each man had heard the king's decree, and each one devised a plan that might save the kingdom. Although the land around their own homes showed signs of use, it was healthy and gorgeous. The men were content and enjoyed their lives. The plans they had for the entire kingdom were based on the way they already lived.

" Reduce" Big mountains, roaring rivers, and thick forests surrounded Ricardo's land. His small home was high on a mountain. Because his home was far away from stores, he had to get by with only the things he needed. Ricardo thought about what he owned and realized he didn't need much at all. If he didn't use an item, he would sell it or give it away. Most importantly, if he didn't like it, he wouldn't own it at all. He didn't buy much, and consequently, Ricardo's home was tidy and efficient. He didn't spend lots of extra time taking care of things. Reduce your load, increase your joy, and save your environment-that was Ricardo's plan to help save the land.