Help that little acorn to take root

DO WE, as members of the most intelligent and versatile of all species on earth, give sufficient attention to the wonders of nature and its processes on our planet?

How fully do we grasp the enormous significance of the healthy growth and development of organisms, plants and animals?

Some slogans and poster statements are particularly eye-catching in their initial impression, and then take on a deeper, more meaningful significance as the mind embraces the broader symbolism involved.

One such example is: "From little acorns grow mighty oaks" which adorned a classroom in a Cape Town school in the late ’70s. (The earliest literary reference to this powerful concept is found in Geoffrey Chaucer’s words: “. . . as an ook cometh of a litel spyr” (1374).

The picture which goes with these words is of a young boy and a young girl with the girl shyly “taking a peek” inside the boy's swimming costume.

The innocence of the young children strengthens the humorous effect of the poster, but the full impact of the deeper interpretations is what makes this a powerful message.

The amazing wonder of nature represented on the literal level of that little acorn taking root and growing into a mighty oak, constitutes an awesome process in itself.

If the mind changed the spelling to 'oke', the slogan could easily depict that wondrous path of metamorphosis that takes place as young boys (and girls) grow, in all ways, into adulthood.

The seed of a business idea that develops into a thriving undertaking; the sports team that reaps the fruits of effort and effective coaching; happy and successful relationships that blossomed from “little acorn” beginnings – all of these could fit the interpretation of the slogan.

Leading nations that have developed from humble beginnings and inventions of immense import, find their roots in fledgling communities and concepts.

In East London, Mercedes Benz epitomises the “mighty oak” stage from small beginnings and well-directed, strategic nurturing and guidance.

The Hemingways Mall matured from the seed of an idea and germination through fertile business processes.

The Nahoon Surf Lifesavers’ “shack” started as one, but branched out to become the impressive structure it is today.

Acorns, seeds, ideas, concepts and people have huge potential if rooted in sound principles and nurtured through healthy and well-directed growth processes.

Each generation has the crucial responsibility to allow – and to encourage – these “acorns” to grow.

The very survival of our planet depends on this.