Chapter Fourteen

Abinla smiled sweetly. She went to her mother and hugged her. 'You know too much,' she whispered. 

'That's because I am a Science teacher.' She pinched Abinla's cheek playfully. 

'How could you forget that so soon?' 

Abinla chuckled. 'Tell me, what else do we need to do?' 

'According to my research, the world faces two existential crises; climate breakdown and ecological breakdown. If we want to welcome a green and clean environment, then we should help each other. We should work hard to achieve a clean and green environment... I can't wait to sit on the bench while looking in admiration at the colourful and beautiful world.'

 'Green is beautiful, and clean is green,' Abinla said, releasing herself from the hug. 'Greta Thunberg, the Swedish environmental activist, inspires me a lot.' 

'Who is she?' Boma looked up at Abinla and asked curiously. 

 'Didn't you know? Greta Thunberg is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation.' Laughing, she added, 'She persuaded her parents to adopt lifestyle choices that reduce their own carbon footprint.' 

'Ooh, I see,' Boma chuckled. 'Don't tell me to become a vegan,' she pouted her mouth playfully and Abinla laughed sweetly. 

'I will have to go.' 

 'Are you sure?' Boma smiled as she held out Abinla's drawing notebook. 

With a sweet smile Abinla reached for the notebook and headed out after bidding her mother goodbye. Her mother was feeling better now, Abinla felt happy about that.