A message of resilience by the cactus

Nothing in this world is created without any purpose. An insect as little as a maggot is not something created uselessly. They play a major role in decomposition of living debris. Like other living things, plants are created with a purpose as they have always provided fertile ground for humans to learn some of the most valuable lessons in life from.

We consider cactus as a prickly plant that lives in dry desserts but if you take a closer look, it teaches you some very important life lessons. Unlike other living organisms that are driven to exist entirely by nature’s rules do not have to deal with the mixed blessing of ‘choice’ that humans are given on a daily basis. Instead, plants exist and survive by their instinctive strength and it is from this force that we can learn these important life lessons. You would be amazed to know that a prickly plant like cactus would be so forgiving.

A cactus is a perfect symbol of resilience. Cactus thorns are highly modified plant leaves. The sharp spines and the thick tough skin of the stem protect the cactus from animals that would otherwise have easy access to the plant. It has the ability to collect and store water using a diverse root system. Small thin roots grow near the surface of the soil and collect rainwater as quickly as possible during the rainy period. A taproot, which grows much deeper, reaches underground water supplies when the top soil is dry to collect water from the depth. This water is stored in their stems. The water is not pure and clear but viscous. The fluid is drinkable however, and has saved people’s lives in the deserts. This is how cactus gives a message of developing a thicker skin to protect you from the outside world. This not only helps the plant to survive but it also stores water that is also drinkable for humans. How beautifully it gives a lesson to us, to create an ecosystem of support which helps the survival of all the species, promoting biodiversity. You can also judge that it withstands stress by showing kindness to other living beings. It is a plant that survives with little water in a dry and hot environment, providing sustenance and shelter to many desert animals and insects.

A cactus surely knows that good things come to only those who show patience. It holds on long enough believing that the drought will end and there will be rain. Sometimes, we need to be reminded that our troubles are only temporary. If we have patience, our problems will come to an end. It is okay to take your time because a saguaro cactus takes 70 years to produce its first flower.

Sometimes, people with scary or prickly exterior, can be soft from inside just like a cactus plant. Some species of cactus can absorb up to 200 gallons of water during a rainfall, making the inside soft and juicy under all those spines. Remember that humans showing stern outlook can have kindest nature, too. They might be showing such behavior to survive themselves from bad experiences.

Let’s all appreciate the wonderful beauty of the nature and learn from the cactus!

by: Abeer Arshad 

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