[Student Voices] The Three Powers of Nature

Seungwoo Song (St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju, Grade 6) by Seungwoo Song (St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju, Grade 6) My friend was getting hit by another student. I couldn’t just stand there and watch. A few minutes after I stepped in to help, I was met by the stern gaze of a teacher. “You’re part of this situation,” the teacher said. Suddenly, I was lumped in with the chaos and given a mark of shame—a formal report sent to the principal and, worst of all, my parents. At that moment, the stress of everything came crashing down on me. That afternoon, I went to a park near my house. As I walked around, surrounded by trees and the songs of birds, I felt my stress begin to disappear. My heartbeat started to slow down. Before I came here, I had felt stuck; now the sunlight and the openness of the park freed me, and my worries melted away like ice in the middle of summer. How did the park make my troubles go away? To find an answer to that question, let’s go on a trip to three of my favorite natural places: First stop, Rose Park in Busan. Walking through Rose Park is like stepping into a fragrant wonderland. The air is filled with the sweet smells of roses. Everywhere we look, there are roses—bright reds, soft pinks, whites as white as doves, sunny yellows, and even a kind of rose that looks almost black. As we stroll along, we come across a few grandpas sitting under a shady ginkgo tree, playing checkers as petals float down upon their table. Nearby, there’s a pond with various rose petals drifting along the surface. The smell is heavenly—it’s like a mix of shampoo and candy. As we walk forward into Frog Park in Damyang, we’re immediately greeted by a symphony of frog sounds: “Riiiiiibbit – riiiiiiiibbbit – ribiiit – rubbit – rubt.” The pond in the center of the park sparkles in the sunlight, its surface alive with ripples that dance in rhythm with the frogs’ calls. It’s as if the water is performing just for us, adding a touch of magic to the park. Surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature, I feel a sense of calm wash over me. In Frog Park, we’ve found a sanctuary where we can escape the noises of the city, replacing them with the beautiful sounds of the great outdoors. Next, we hike to the top of Halla Mountain on Jeju Island. Stretching out below us are fields of lush green, spreading as far as the eye can see. They look like cozy blankets covering the island. Beyond the fields, the sea stretches out in every direction. The best part of the view is the distant silhouette of ancient volcanoes. Their jagged peaks rise against the horizon. Standing here, surrounded by such beauty, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. It’s like you’re a tiny speck in the middle of something truly incredible. By the end of our trip, we have our answer: The sights, sounds, and smells of nature make our troubles go away. Sunlight can help regulate our sleep and mood, while the sounds of leaves rustling and birds chirping can help us relax. The smells of tree sap and flowers are soothing and healing. When we’re surrounded by nature, our stress levels drop. So, the next time you’re feeling down, take a walk in a park. The three powers of nature will help you get through any problem.