Paper Bags

By Manoshi De Silva

Saviru put a batch of freshly made paper bags into the basket fixed onto his bicycle. He then started peddling towards the small shops at the junction. His neighbour and classmate, Kavinga was by the road, flying a kite with a few other boys. Kavinga had noticed Saviru taking paper bags to the shops a few times previously and getting paid by the shop owners. "So that's how he earns his pocket money," thought Kavinga, feeling rather jealous about it.

As Saviru cycled near, Kavinga stood in the middle of the road blocking his way. "Here comes Mr. Paper Bag!" he shouted mockingly at Saviru. All the boys gathered around Saviru's bike. "So what is all this?" asked Kavinga pulling out a few paper bags from the neatly packed lot. The other boys also started pulling out the paper bags and dropping them on the road. "Please don't pull those. I spent a lot of time making them!" pleaded Saviru and the boys laughed at him.

"So what are you planning on buying with the money you earn by selling these?" asked Kavinga in a mocking voice, "A car or an airplane?" Saviru sat on his seat and tried to ride away. "Oh no you don't!" shouted Kavinga and he and the other boys pulled out all the paper bags and dumped them in a nearby drain. They giggled as Saviru pushed his bike back home, empty-handed and sad.

From that day on, Kavinga started to tease Saviru at school as well. Every time he saw Saviru, he shouted, "Mr. Paper Bag!" and the rest of the boys also started bullying him. Kavinga thought that their teasing would stop Saviru from making and selling paper bags. But surprisingly it didn't. Saviru continued to make paper bags even when the others teased him. "But why does he still do it?" wondered Kavinga. "His father has a good job and they have enough money. Maybe he wants to buy something… but what?"         

The school 'Science Day' was around the corner. The boys were given an opportunity to present something they invented or to share anything that they thought was important, with the rest of the school. "What are you going to present?" asked Malith, Kavinga's best friend. "Nothing," replied Kavinga. "I don't have anything. What about you guys?" None of Kavinga's friends had anything worthwhile to present.

On the 'Science Day' all the students assembled at the college ground. There was a stage with mikes, and the Chief Guest, Principal and all the teachers were seated at the front. "The Chief Guest is a famous scientist. I have seen him on TV. That's how I recognized him!" whispered Malith "Yes, he's so popular, everyone knows him. We should get his autograph!" said Kavinga and his friends agreed.       

One by one the students were invited to the stage to make their presentations to the audience. There was a gift to be awarded for the best presentation. There were so many impressive things presented by the students. It was difficult to guess who would win the best prize. Finally Saviru's name was announced, inviting him to make his presentation. "I didn't think he would take part!" said Malith as the boys stared at each other in surprise. "What is Mr. Paper Bag going to present?" asked Kavinga. "Maybe his paper bags?" replied Malith and the boys howled and laughed.

Saviru stood confidently in front of the mike. "Today I am going to talk about this!" he said holding up a paper bag. "What? He can't be serious!" gasped Kavinga. "This must be a joke!" said the other boys. The ground was filled with whispers and giggles. "Yes, this simple paper bag can make a huge difference!" said Saviru, not losing his confidence.

Then he went on to explain how plastic and polythene has taken over the world. How much of it is polluting the soil and how it takes hundreds of years for a plastic bag to decay. He explained how they block the waterways and finally end up in the sea. By now there was pin-drop silence in the audience.

"I am doing what I can, at my level, to make a change," continued Saviru.
"I can't stop plastic and polythene usage completely. But by making paper bags with used paper, I am stopping the usage of polythene bags even by a small percentage. And if others can also use more paper or cloth bags, then we can reduce the usage of polythene even more." The Chief Guest nodded, looking very impressed. "This way, used paper gets recycled and turned into something useful and environmental-friendly! So by taking small steps we will be making a positive change in our world," continued Saviru.

"And that’s not all. The little amount of money I earn by making paper bags is donated monthly to the small 'Environmental Protection Club' we have in my town. With the collected money we clean the surrounding areas by gathering non-biodegradable waste and sending some of it to be recycled." As Saviru finished his speech, the Chief Guest stood up clapping and so did all the teachers. Saviru received the gift for the best presentation and the applause of the audience lasted for a long time.

Kavinga and his friends felt ashamed of themselves. "We were so wrong!" said Malith. "He's a hero, although we treated him so badly." The other boys also agreed as they also felt very guilty. So they went and met Saviru and apologized to him. "We would love to help you make more paper bags," said Kavinga,
"I now realize that even a small step counts. Thank you for teaching that to us."

So from that day on, Kavinga and the boys joined Saviru, and together they made lots of  paper bags, knowing that even the small change made by them, was a positive contribution to the environment.