Do you think there are languages spoken by the more-than-human world? What do they tell us about the changes around us? What does Bluey Bowerbird announce when he starts dancing for a mate or cockatoo baby croaking for food? Does the migration of firetails speak of change on the way?

These are the questions we have been considering in gardening as we go out to learn the language of the world around us. One way we have been doing this in gardening is with ngalawa (sit spot) and nature journals, where we sit and listen, watch and feel the world, noticing the changes and movements of the world around us. When we know the language of the world around us, we can work in harmony with nature.

Frida had a chat with Mountain Devil and Ant:

The Thorny Mountain Devil

It is so still; though a gentle breeze may stir. It doesn’t rustle like the gum tree, it doesn’t bump against itself like the willow. I am so still, though a gentle breeze rocks me to sleep. I dream of where my roots are, so deep inside Mother Earth.

I feel so calm though it is hard to sleep with the children staring at me!
I wish I could shake the dew off my spikey fingers but that would look suspicious!

He is still, but I am not! I am an ant, always moving. Always occupied, always doing something. But being busy isn’t bad, there is always something to do and I am happy and contented. There’s not much room where I live and all the world around me is filled with life!

Sarah Daniel Gardening

Sarah has a B. Arts (UN) and a Master of Teaching (UNE). She works both as a teacher and as student support throughout the school.