Rangers at Yosemite National Park received a letter recently from a little girl named Evie. Taped to the letter were two small sticks, each maybe a few inches long.
But it was Evie's touching words that produced smiles and warmed their hearts. So the rangers shared the letter Wednesday on the California wilderness park's Facebook page, and it has since been shared by more than 6,400 users, "liked" by nearly 12,000 people, and commented on by nearly 1,000 people.
This is because Evie's letter is cute, but mostly because its broader meaning underscores the goodness in children, who generally want to do the right thing, and who will follow through if given a chance.
Those two sticks, it turns out, were carried out of Yosemite by Evie at the end of a family outing. Removing items from national parks, or from any wilderness area, is frowned upon because all natural items within these wonderful open spaces are what keep them pristine.
Visitors to national parks are advised of this smart principle via posted signs and in literature, and somehow the message reached Evie, after she had left the park, and discovered the two sticks in her pocket.
Tiny sticks. Insignificant, perhaps, in terms of keeping Yosemite pristine. But to Evie, they had to be returned to their place of origin. Hence, the letter (pictured at right), which might just brighten your day, especially if you're a parent or are planning to have children::
Dear Park Rangers,
I am a Yosemite Junior Ranger. I went to Yosemite recently and accidentally brought home two sticks.
I know I'm not supposed to take things from the park, so I am sending them back. Please put them in nature.
Thank you, Evie
There still may be hope in our society.
Posted by: debbie johnson | Mar 01, 2013 at 08:03 PM