MEN OF THE TREES 



there must be a way to do this work, and that I must find 

 it. Something had to be done, and done quickly to stem 

 the tide of destruction. 



I went about my ordinary routine work, as assistant 

 conservator of forests, and after some days the inspira- 

 tion came. I had been watching ceremonial dances and 

 had learnt that in these parts of Africa there was a dif- 

 ferent dance for every season of the year. There was a 

 special dance when the beans were planted and another 

 when the corn was reaped. When they were going out for 

 a lion hunt these tribesmen worked up their courage by 

 a special dance before sallying forth to slay their enemy. 

 Even when there was nothing particular to do, again 

 they would dance. Suddenly the idea came to me — why 

 not a ceremonial tree-planting dance? Everywhere these 

 young African warriors were pouring a vast amount of 

 life and energy into their warlike skirmishes, forest 

 burnings and dancing. I was convinced that such an im- 

 pulsive body of stalwart young fighters could be in- 

 fluenced for good instead of being left to continue in old 

 habits of destructiveness through sheer ignorance of bet- 

 ter uses for their energy. I had thought of applying the 

 principles of Boy Scout movement, but, when on a visit 

 to Nairobi, I ventured to discuss the matter with brother 

 officers, the idea of putting "natives" upon their honour 

 was condemned as wildly impracticable and quite im- 

 possible. I was considered a visionary and but for the en- 

 couragement received from the American Consul Gen- 

 eral, a Roman Catholic priest from the Italian Mission, a 



^4 



