Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Tree Wars


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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