One of the program offices planted two saplings in front of
our Camp Morale Center. Well, this did
not sit well being bested by the new kids on the block. So the Ministry of Finance Advisors went one
better and planted a taller cherry tree at the same place. Clearly war had been declared. Not to be outdone by either, I asked my
Afghan interpreters if they could get me prices for three fruit tree saplings
from somewhere in Kabul. The next
morning, three saplings, with few roots and wrapped in small shopping bags end
up in my can as my interpreter smiles.
“Mr. George, look we found you trees”.
Clearly a midnight raid on someone’s precious garden, but I wasn’t going
to ask. “Oh well lets get these symbols
of Afghan righteousness and transparency in the ground quick. I gave the camp gardener $20 (one week’s
salary) to haul them to the same small patch of lawn with the other trees. And there it is. The tree war has been won by my Ministry of Finance
team with one each apricot, apple and pear saplings that maybe in three
generations of advisors from now will taste from its branches. I wonder where we can have a sign made? …………Oh Zafiri, can you find out the cost of
a few signs?
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