Welcome Rain
After a long period without much precipitation, we finally got a chance to enjoy a steady, fine rain. This rain has been a blessing, especially considering the worrying drought that has affected the marshes and rivers, with flows below minimums. Forecasts indicate that, if this trend continues, rivers could experience a 34% reduction in their average flow by 2100. This highlights the vital importance of water, which is fundamental to life itself. The rain has been a watered-down welcome, satisfying a need that had become apparent.
The Meaning of ‘Watered’
The term ‘watered down’ used to refer to a sullen child, expressing his melancholy and desire for something unattainable. This word, along with traditional practices for the cure of waterlogging, has fallen into disuse. In the past, home remedies were used, such as taking children for a walk around the stream and collecting pebbles to throw into the water, with the belief that this would relieve their melancholy. These practices, despite lacking scientific support, were considered effective by the ancients. Now, these customs have disappeared, along with the word ‘water’, while life in the streams is also threatened by climate change and human action.
The Importance of Water
The rain has highlighted the importance of water and the need to preserve it. It is essential to remedy the decline of stream life and ensure that future generations can enjoy this precious and necessary resource. We hope that, wet or not, the little one can once again enjoy the simple joys of throwing stones in the stream and observing the bubbles and splashes that the rockets cause, signs of the presence of water and the possibility of enjoying it fully.