10. Turtle

©Jieun

“People are so selfish”

“J, What do you mean? I mean, some people are selfish, and we all are selfish sometimes.”

“You know, look at this trail. It was so packed with people last week when the cherry blossoms just started, but no one's here this week. The flowers are still here, and the scents are still here.”

“So? More for us? Isn’t that great?”

“I mean yeah, but aren't humans so shallow?”

“Don’t you think that’s the shallowest perception toward your own kind? I hear you, J, but sometimes... just don’t think. Just walk a bit, see some flowers, and just clear your mind. Yes, people are selfish. I’m not sure we can call people not showing up to this trail every day a selfish act, but yeah, sure—people can get selfish sometimes.”

“No, listen, really. People only show up when things are great. You know that, right?”

“I hear you, J, and I know what you mean. But J, do you think when the flowers are blooming, they want people to stand right there, waiting and supporting them? And stay there as long as they are there? I don’t think so.”

J stopped talking and continued the walk.

“Flowers bloom for only one reason, and one reason only: reproduction. They only think of that, and that’s the only purpose of their existence. They don’t care if millions of people are cheering for them or if no one looks at them. In a remote mountain on an island, flowers bloom. So, people are not selfish, and flowers don’t care. It’s just that you care.”

J stopped walking and started to stare at me. This was never a good sign.