Naya
Chapter 8: Victory (and Doubts)
The bins are finally installed! But Naya is worried: will things really change?
Reading difficulty
Today is the big day! The garbage bins are going to be installed in the forest.
The whole class is waiting at the entrance to the forest. A truck from the town hall arrives with the mayor and the workers.
"Here come the garbage!" shouts Léa.
The containers are beautiful and sturdy. There are five of them, one for each area of the forest. The children help to install them.
The first is placed at the entrance. The second near the lake. The third at the crossroads of the paths. The fourth near the playground. And the last one near the clearing with the purple flowers!
"You did it!" said the mayor. "You are true heroes of nature!"
All the children shouted with joy.
On the way back, Naya is a little worried.
"Tom, do you think people are really going to use the bins?"
Tom thinks.
"Maybe not at first. But we'll continue to monitor the forest. We're not stopping today!"
Naya smiled. Tom was right. The Green Brigade continued its work!
That evening, Naya wrote in her new notebook: "Today's victory is not an end. It's a beginning!"
The whole class is waiting at the entrance to the forest. A truck from the town hall arrives with the mayor and the workers.
"Here come the garbage!" shouts Léa.
The containers are beautiful and sturdy. There are five of them, one for each area of the forest. The children help to install them.
The first is placed at the entrance. The second near the lake. The third at the crossroads of the paths. The fourth near the playground. And the last one near the clearing with the purple flowers!
"You did it!" said the mayor. "You are true heroes of nature!"
All the children shouted with joy.
On the way back, Naya is a little worried.
"Tom, do you think people are really going to use the bins?"
Tom thinks.
"Maybe not at first. But we'll continue to monitor the forest. We're not stopping today!"
Naya smiled. Tom was right. The Green Brigade continued its work!
That evening, Naya wrote in her new notebook: "Today's victory is not an end. It's a beginning!"
Three weeks have passed since the meeting at the town hall. Today, finally, is the big day!
The entire Year 6 class is waiting at the entrance to the forest. The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining.
Naya and Tom are in front of the group, very excited.
"Do you see them?" Emma asks.
"Not yet," Malik replied. "But they'll arrive."
Suddenly, a town hall truck appears on the road. The mayor gets out, accompanied by two workers and a journalist with a camera!
"Hello everyone! Are you ready to see your project come to life?" asks the mayor.
"Yes!" the students shout.
The workers open the truck. Inside, five nice green containers with three compartments each: plastic and metal, paper and cardboard, non-recyclable waste.
"They are magnificent!" exclaims Naya.
"And sturdy," the mayor added. "They will last for years."
The children touch the containers, examine the compartments. The journalist takes photos.
"Let's get to work!" announced the mayor. "You will guide us to the five locations."
The first container is installed at the main entrance. Léa and Sarah install the sign next to it, with the squirrel that says: "Thank you for keeping my house clean!"
The journalist asks questions.
"Why was it important for you to protect this forest?" she asks Naya.
"Because the forest is our treasure. If we don't take care of it, it will disappear," Naya replies.
The second container is located near the small lake. The third is at the intersection of the trails with the sign: "Which forest do you want?" The fourth is near the playground.
Finally, the fifth one is placed near the clearing with the purple flowers. Naya feels her heart swell with happiness. The large purple flowers shine in the light.
Tom puts up the last sign that Naya drew: "Let's protect the beauty of our forest."
When everything is finished, the mayor gathers the children.
"You have accomplished something extraordinary!" He takes out an envelope. "On behalf of the city, I present you with this certificate of 'Young Citizens Committed to the Environment'!"
The children applaud and shout with joy.
On the way back, the atmosphere is festive. But Naya remains silent.
Tom notices. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm happy. It's just that... do you think it's really going to work?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if people don't use them? What if in a few weeks the forest becomes dirty again? What if we did all this for nothing?"
Tom places his hand on Naya's shoulder.
"You may be right. Perhaps some people will continue to pollute. But that doesn't mean we've failed. It means we must continue!"
" Continue ? "
“Yes! The garbage was the first step. Now we must continue to raise awareness and monitor the forest. The Green Brigade isn’t stopping today.”
Naya smiled. "You're right. Today's victory isn't an end. It's a beginning!"
"Exactly! And we'll continue! Together!"
That evening, Naya opened her notebook and wrote:
**GREEN BRIGADE JOURNAL - Guardians of the Forest**
“Today, the five sorting points were installed. That’s a great victory! But the work isn’t finished yet.”Where to begin? Tomorrow, we'll create a monitoring schedule. We'll distribute flyers. We'll organize a "Discover the Forest" day. Today's victory is not an end. It's a beginning.
She looks out the window towards the forest.
"We're watching over you now," she whispered. "And we won't abandon you."
The doubts are still there. But the determination is stronger.
The entire Year 6 class is waiting at the entrance to the forest. The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining.
Naya and Tom are in front of the group, very excited.
"Do you see them?" Emma asks.
"Not yet," Malik replied. "But they'll arrive."
Suddenly, a town hall truck appears on the road. The mayor gets out, accompanied by two workers and a journalist with a camera!
"Hello everyone! Are you ready to see your project come to life?" asks the mayor.
"Yes!" the students shout.
The workers open the truck. Inside, five nice green containers with three compartments each: plastic and metal, paper and cardboard, non-recyclable waste.
"They are magnificent!" exclaims Naya.
"And sturdy," the mayor added. "They will last for years."
The children touch the containers, examine the compartments. The journalist takes photos.
"Let's get to work!" announced the mayor. "You will guide us to the five locations."
The first container is installed at the main entrance. Léa and Sarah install the sign next to it, with the squirrel that says: "Thank you for keeping my house clean!"
The journalist asks questions.
"Why was it important for you to protect this forest?" she asks Naya.
"Because the forest is our treasure. If we don't take care of it, it will disappear," Naya replies.
The second container is located near the small lake. The third is at the intersection of the trails with the sign: "Which forest do you want?" The fourth is near the playground.
Finally, the fifth one is placed near the clearing with the purple flowers. Naya feels her heart swell with happiness. The large purple flowers shine in the light.
Tom puts up the last sign that Naya drew: "Let's protect the beauty of our forest."
When everything is finished, the mayor gathers the children.
"You have accomplished something extraordinary!" He takes out an envelope. "On behalf of the city, I present you with this certificate of 'Young Citizens Committed to the Environment'!"
The children applaud and shout with joy.
On the way back, the atmosphere is festive. But Naya remains silent.
Tom notices. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm happy. It's just that... do you think it's really going to work?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if people don't use them? What if in a few weeks the forest becomes dirty again? What if we did all this for nothing?"
Tom places his hand on Naya's shoulder.
"You may be right. Perhaps some people will continue to pollute. But that doesn't mean we've failed. It means we must continue!"
" Continue ? "
“Yes! The garbage was the first step. Now we must continue to raise awareness and monitor the forest. The Green Brigade isn’t stopping today.”
Naya smiled. "You're right. Today's victory isn't an end. It's a beginning!"
"Exactly! And we'll continue! Together!"
That evening, Naya opened her notebook and wrote:
**GREEN BRIGADE JOURNAL - Guardians of the Forest**
“Today, the five sorting points were installed. That’s a great victory! But the work isn’t finished yet.”Where to begin? Tomorrow, we'll create a monitoring schedule. We'll distribute flyers. We'll organize a "Discover the Forest" day. Today's victory is not an end. It's a beginning.
She looks out the window towards the forest.
"We're watching over you now," she whispered. "And we won't abandon you."
The doubts are still there. But the determination is stronger.
Three weeks have passed since the meeting at the town hall. Three weeks during which the whole class lived in anticipation and excitement.
This morning, finally, is the big day. The mayor kept his word: the five recycling points will be installed in the forest!
The entire Year 6 class, accompanied by Mrs. Leroux, is standing at the entrance to the forest. The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining through the branches, and the air smells wonderfully of spring.
Naya and Tom are standing in front of the group, their eyes shining with impatience.
"Do you see them?" asks Emma, rising onto her tiptoes.
"Not yet," Malik replied. "But they shouldn't be long now. The mayor said 10 o'clock."
Suddenly, they hear the sound of an engine. A town hall truck appears on the forest road, followed by a white van.
"There they are!" shouts Léa.
The truck stops in front of them. The mayor gets out of the van, accompanied by two municipal workers and a woman with a camera. She's a journalist from the local newspaper!
"Hello everyone!" the mayor exclaimed cheerfully. "So, are you ready to see your project come to life?"
"Yes!" the students shout in unison.
The workers open the back of the truck. Inside, five neat sorting containers are arranged. They are made of dark green recycled plastic, with three compartments each: one for plastic and metal, one for paper and cardboard, and one for non-recyclable waste.
Each container has clear, coloured pictograms to explain what to put in each bin.
"They are magnificent!" exclaims Naya, clasping her hands together.
"And sturdy," the mayor added. "They will withstand the elements and last for years."
"Can we touch them?" asks Tom, his eyes shining.
"Of course! Come on, come closer!"
All the children rush towards the truck. They touch the containers, examine the compartments, and read the instructions.
"That's exactly what we needed!" said Theo admiringly.
The journalist takes pictures of the children around the truck, their faces beaming with pride.
"Okay," announced the mayor, clapping his hands. "Let's get to work! Children, you will guide us to the five locations you have chosen. Okay?"
"Okay!" Naya replied.
The first container is installed at the main entrance to the forest, where many families begin their walk. Workers secure it firmly to the ground with metal rods so that it cannot be knocked over.
Léa and Sarah set up the first educational sign the class created right next to it. It depicts a smiling squirrel saying: "Thank you for keeping my house clean! Use the bins!"
The journalist takes photos. She asks the children questions.
"Why was it important for you to protect this forest?" she asks Naya.
Naya thought for a moment, then replied:
"Because the forest is our treasure. It's where nature lives, where animals have their home. If we don't take care of it, it will disappear. And we will have lost something precious."
The journalist carefully notes down her words.
The second container is located near the small lake where many people come to picnic. It was there that Naya and Tom had observed the family looking for a rubbish bin a few weeks ago.
"I hope they come back and see that there's a bin now!" said Tom.
"I'm sure of it," the mayor replied with a smile.
The third container is placed at the intersection of three paths, a very busy spot. Emma and Malik install a sign there showing a clean forest on one side and a polluted forest on the other, with the question: "Which forest do you want?"
The fourth container is installed near a natural playground where children love to climb trees. Théo hangs a sign that reads: "Nature's superheroes throw their rubbish in the bins!"
Finally, the fifth and last container is placed near the clearing with the purple flowers.
When Naya saw the workers installing the container, she felt her heart swell with happiness. They had succeeded. The clearing was clean now, and it would stay that way.
The large purple flowers shine in the sunlight. They seem even more beautiful than before, as if they too were celebrating this victory.
Tom puts up the last sign, the one Naya designed herself. It shows the beautiful purple flowers with these words: "Let's protect the beauty of our forest."
When everything is finished, the mayor gathers all the children in the clearing.
"There! The project is finished! Well... no, not finished. It's just beginning!"
He smiled and continued:
"I want you to know that you have accomplished something extraordinary. You identified a problem, you looked for solutions, you convinced adults to listen to you, and now look! Your dream has come true."
He takes an envelope out of his pocket.
"On behalf of the city, I officially present your class with this certificate of 'Young Citizens Committed to the Environment'. You richly deserve it!"
Mrs. Leroux receives the certificate with emotion. The children applaud and shout with joy.
The journalist takes a few more photos, then she approaches the mayor.
"This story will be on the front page of Wednesday's newspaper! Readers are going to love it!"
On the way back to school, the atmosphere is festive. The children sing, laugh, and congratulate each other.
"We did it!" Emma repeats over and over. "I can't believe it!"
"Me neither," said Malik. "It was so much work, but it was worth it!"
But Naya walks silently beside Tom. She smiles, of course. She's happy, of course. But something is bothering her.
Tom notices it.
"Are you okay? You don't seem as cheerful as the others."
Naya hesitates, then sighs.
"Yes, I'm happy. Really. It's just that..."
" What ? "
"Do you really think it's going to work?"
Tom frowned.
"What do you mean? Of course it'll work! The bins are installed!"
"Yes, but..." Naya stops and looks Tom in the eyes. "What if people don't use them? What if in a few weeks, the forest is just as dirty as before? What if we did all this for nothing?"
Tom opens his mouth to reply, but realizes he doesn't have a ready answer.
"I understand what you mean," he said finally. "You're afraid it won't last."
"Exactly. Trash cans are a good thing. But they don't change people. If people continue to be disrespectful, to litter...""Anywhere, even with trash cans, it won't make a difference."
Tom thought for a moment, then he placed his hand on Naya's shoulder.
"You know what? You might be right. Maybe some people will continue to pollute. Maybe in a few months, we'll still have to clean up."
Naya lowers her head, discouraged.
“But,” Tom continued resolutely, “that doesn’t mean we’ve failed. It just means we have to keep going.”
" Continue ? "
“Yes! The garbage was the first step. But now we must continue to raise awareness, monitor the forest, and organize cleanups when necessary. The Green Brigade isn't stopping today.”
Naya looks up at her friend. He's right. Of course he's right.
"You mean to say that today's victory isn't the end?"
"Exactly! It's a start. The start of a long-term commitment."
Naya felt a smile return to her face.
"You're right. We can't give up now. We've started something important."
"And we'll keep going!" Tom affirms. "Together!"
They shake hands, like two true partners.
That evening, at home, Naya was sitting at her desk. She opened a new notebook, a special notebook she had just bought.
On the first page, she writes in large, decorated letters:
**GREEN BRIGADE JOURNAL**
**Guardians of the Forest**
Then she begins to write:
“Today, May 15th, the five sorting points were installed in our forest. It’s a great victory! But I know the work has only just begun.”
*Tomorrow, we will create a monitoring schedule. Each week, members of the Green Brigade will check the garbage cans and the condition of the forest.*
We will also prepare flyers to distribute in the neighborhood to explain to people how to use the recycling bins.
*And in a month, we will organize a big "Discover the Forest" day to show families all the wonders that we must protect.*
*Today's victory is not an end. It's a beginning. And we're ready to continue.*
She puts down her pen and looks out the window. The forest is there, mysterious and beautiful under the darkening sky.
"We're watching over you now," she whispered. "And we won't abandon you."
In her heart, the doubts are still there. But now, they are accompanied by something stronger: determination.
Yes, there will still be challenges. Yes, there may be disappointments. But as long as the Green Brigade is there, as long as she and her friends continue to fight, the forest will have a chance.
And that's all that matters.
This morning, finally, is the big day. The mayor kept his word: the five recycling points will be installed in the forest!
The entire Year 6 class, accompanied by Mrs. Leroux, is standing at the entrance to the forest. The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining through the branches, and the air smells wonderfully of spring.
Naya and Tom are standing in front of the group, their eyes shining with impatience.
"Do you see them?" asks Emma, rising onto her tiptoes.
"Not yet," Malik replied. "But they shouldn't be long now. The mayor said 10 o'clock."
Suddenly, they hear the sound of an engine. A town hall truck appears on the forest road, followed by a white van.
"There they are!" shouts Léa.
The truck stops in front of them. The mayor gets out of the van, accompanied by two municipal workers and a woman with a camera. She's a journalist from the local newspaper!
"Hello everyone!" the mayor exclaimed cheerfully. "So, are you ready to see your project come to life?"
"Yes!" the students shout in unison.
The workers open the back of the truck. Inside, five neat sorting containers are arranged. They are made of dark green recycled plastic, with three compartments each: one for plastic and metal, one for paper and cardboard, and one for non-recyclable waste.
Each container has clear, coloured pictograms to explain what to put in each bin.
"They are magnificent!" exclaims Naya, clasping her hands together.
"And sturdy," the mayor added. "They will withstand the elements and last for years."
"Can we touch them?" asks Tom, his eyes shining.
"Of course! Come on, come closer!"
All the children rush towards the truck. They touch the containers, examine the compartments, and read the instructions.
"That's exactly what we needed!" said Theo admiringly.
The journalist takes pictures of the children around the truck, their faces beaming with pride.
"Okay," announced the mayor, clapping his hands. "Let's get to work! Children, you will guide us to the five locations you have chosen. Okay?"
"Okay!" Naya replied.
The first container is installed at the main entrance to the forest, where many families begin their walk. Workers secure it firmly to the ground with metal rods so that it cannot be knocked over.
Léa and Sarah set up the first educational sign the class created right next to it. It depicts a smiling squirrel saying: "Thank you for keeping my house clean! Use the bins!"
The journalist takes photos. She asks the children questions.
"Why was it important for you to protect this forest?" she asks Naya.
Naya thought for a moment, then replied:
"Because the forest is our treasure. It's where nature lives, where animals have their home. If we don't take care of it, it will disappear. And we will have lost something precious."
The journalist carefully notes down her words.
The second container is located near the small lake where many people come to picnic. It was there that Naya and Tom had observed the family looking for a rubbish bin a few weeks ago.
"I hope they come back and see that there's a bin now!" said Tom.
"I'm sure of it," the mayor replied with a smile.
The third container is placed at the intersection of three paths, a very busy spot. Emma and Malik install a sign there showing a clean forest on one side and a polluted forest on the other, with the question: "Which forest do you want?"
The fourth container is installed near a natural playground where children love to climb trees. Théo hangs a sign that reads: "Nature's superheroes throw their rubbish in the bins!"
Finally, the fifth and last container is placed near the clearing with the purple flowers.
When Naya saw the workers installing the container, she felt her heart swell with happiness. They had succeeded. The clearing was clean now, and it would stay that way.
The large purple flowers shine in the sunlight. They seem even more beautiful than before, as if they too were celebrating this victory.
Tom puts up the last sign, the one Naya designed herself. It shows the beautiful purple flowers with these words: "Let's protect the beauty of our forest."
When everything is finished, the mayor gathers all the children in the clearing.
"There! The project is finished! Well... no, not finished. It's just beginning!"
He smiled and continued:
"I want you to know that you have accomplished something extraordinary. You identified a problem, you looked for solutions, you convinced adults to listen to you, and now look! Your dream has come true."
He takes an envelope out of his pocket.
"On behalf of the city, I officially present your class with this certificate of 'Young Citizens Committed to the Environment'. You richly deserve it!"
Mrs. Leroux receives the certificate with emotion. The children applaud and shout with joy.
The journalist takes a few more photos, then she approaches the mayor.
"This story will be on the front page of Wednesday's newspaper! Readers are going to love it!"
On the way back to school, the atmosphere is festive. The children sing, laugh, and congratulate each other.
"We did it!" Emma repeats over and over. "I can't believe it!"
"Me neither," said Malik. "It was so much work, but it was worth it!"
But Naya walks silently beside Tom. She smiles, of course. She's happy, of course. But something is bothering her.
Tom notices it.
"Are you okay? You don't seem as cheerful as the others."
Naya hesitates, then sighs.
"Yes, I'm happy. Really. It's just that..."
" What ? "
"Do you really think it's going to work?"
Tom frowned.
"What do you mean? Of course it'll work! The bins are installed!"
"Yes, but..." Naya stops and looks Tom in the eyes. "What if people don't use them? What if in a few weeks, the forest is just as dirty as before? What if we did all this for nothing?"
Tom opens his mouth to reply, but realizes he doesn't have a ready answer.
"I understand what you mean," he said finally. "You're afraid it won't last."
"Exactly. Trash cans are a good thing. But they don't change people. If people continue to be disrespectful, to litter...""Anywhere, even with trash cans, it won't make a difference."
Tom thought for a moment, then he placed his hand on Naya's shoulder.
"You know what? You might be right. Maybe some people will continue to pollute. Maybe in a few months, we'll still have to clean up."
Naya lowers her head, discouraged.
“But,” Tom continued resolutely, “that doesn’t mean we’ve failed. It just means we have to keep going.”
" Continue ? "
“Yes! The garbage was the first step. But now we must continue to raise awareness, monitor the forest, and organize cleanups when necessary. The Green Brigade isn't stopping today.”
Naya looks up at her friend. He's right. Of course he's right.
"You mean to say that today's victory isn't the end?"
"Exactly! It's a start. The start of a long-term commitment."
Naya felt a smile return to her face.
"You're right. We can't give up now. We've started something important."
"And we'll keep going!" Tom affirms. "Together!"
They shake hands, like two true partners.
That evening, at home, Naya was sitting at her desk. She opened a new notebook, a special notebook she had just bought.
On the first page, she writes in large, decorated letters:
**GREEN BRIGADE JOURNAL**
**Guardians of the Forest**
Then she begins to write:
“Today, May 15th, the five sorting points were installed in our forest. It’s a great victory! But I know the work has only just begun.”
*Tomorrow, we will create a monitoring schedule. Each week, members of the Green Brigade will check the garbage cans and the condition of the forest.*
We will also prepare flyers to distribute in the neighborhood to explain to people how to use the recycling bins.
*And in a month, we will organize a big "Discover the Forest" day to show families all the wonders that we must protect.*
*Today's victory is not an end. It's a beginning. And we're ready to continue.*
She puts down her pen and looks out the window. The forest is there, mysterious and beautiful under the darkening sky.
"We're watching over you now," she whispered. "And we won't abandon you."
In her heart, the doubts are still there. But now, they are accompanied by something stronger: determination.
Yes, there will still be challenges. Yes, there may be disappointments. But as long as the Green Brigade is there, as long as she and her friends continue to fight, the forest will have a chance.
And that's all that matters.