Translation:The High Mountains/35
The first thing the children asked when they heard all this: are there any forest rangers?
They were told that there were two rangers. But the forest is so big that two can't be everywhere. It takes hours to cross it.
What's more, one of them has to stay near the woodcutters, to prevent them from cutting down trees that should not be cut.
That leaves one ranger, and he must watch over the whole forest.
“And do we have to expect everything from the forest ranger? Said Costas. What do we do? Anyone who passes here must guard the forest. Each person, wherever he is, must protect it as much as he can. I do my duty.”
If an illiterate man took risks to save the trees, then it's well worth the children participating too.
The following morning Andreas told them their duties.
Five children ran to the Small Village to warn the two policemen who were there that Costas had been attacked.
Five others went to the woodcutters to warn the forest rangers of the catastrophe happening regarding the pines of the Green Wood.
Costas woke up feeling better today. During the night he had been in pain but the treatment of his injuries with bandages and antiseptic had produced good results.
The children brought him a big bowl of milk from the Vlachs which he drank very slowly. Then he went out into the fresh air and talked. That's a man who loves the forest!
Costas is a Yeusois. If he lived too from clandestine wood, what would he have earned? He would be a thief, without being either happier or richer.
For twenty-five years Costas has lived thanks to the forest without doing harm. He has become harvester of the mountains. He picks and sells origan, lavander, thyme and rare herbs to pharmacies and door-to-door.
When he passes by in the town, a wonderful fragrance is diffused from his bag.