In the front of the girl's dorm, there is a giant, giant tree surrounded by hand hewn benches. We were talking about it one day in the refei, and the calamity that has arose from that tree. Apparently it had such a huge draw from the water sources, that the people in the town of Vianopolis felt like it was one more example of Americans trying to help, but ending up hurting the people. And it attracted electricity--during one memorable thunderstorm, Joanne Parker was on the phone when lightning struck--she flew 15 feet across the room. While we were talking Aunt Velda muttered to herself, "I wish I hadn't planted that thing. I used to go out at night and pull the ants off of it--I kept it alive all that summer.". We were stunned. We knew she was old, but that old???
This Is how I see NTM. Started with the best of intentions, perceived as beautiful by some, but really quite dangerous. Grew too fast and too big.
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