air we breathe, they feed us and give us energy, they provide de-
licious fruits and vegetables for us and make everywhere look
beautiful. Just look. See how many different trees, flowers, fruits
and grain there are!"
"There is another blessing that you have forgotten about," said
his grandfather. "It comes from plants, and Allah tells us about it
in the Qur'an: 'He Who produces fire for you from green trees so
that you use them to light your fires.' (Surah Ya Sin: 80)"
"Yes, how could I forget that?" asked Kareem. "We burn wood
from trees to keep warm. The raw material for books, notebooks,
newspaper and all kinds of paper comes from trees; as well as
matches to light fires with, armchairs we sit on, our desks, doors,
windows…"
Grandpa Hassan entirely agreed: "Apart from the usefulness of
plants, they also have another characteristic. A vine that grows in
Central and South America attracts and provides ideal food for
black and green caterpillars and red butterflies. These insects lay
82
