When you're young, sometimes the urge to do something that you're, well, not really supposed to can be overwhelming. We can all remember, perhaps with a grimace, some of the not-so-nice things we may have done when we were little.
And many times, after the thrill of the misdeed wears off, we're left feeling bad. Some people just try to bury the guilt and move on, but other prefer to clear their consciences, like the chronically late high schooler who made it up to her calculus teacher in a literally sweet way.
But one kid decided to formally address their misdeed, and it's inspiring people across the country.
On a visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, a young visitor nicked what looks like a pine cone as a souvenir.
But then they had second thoughts, especially when they learned it was a sequoia cone, not just any pine cone. After all, disturbing any ecosystem, even in a minor way, can be harmful to the plants and animals that live there.
The young visitor, whose identity has been withheld by the Parks, realized this, and decided to right the wrong.
We can all learn something from this kid: that sometimes, saying you're sorry makes a huge impression, and can inspire others to make amends, as well.
[H/T: Distractify]
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are visited by thousands of people each year who want to take in the natural splendor of these incredible, massive trees.
These trees make up the tallest trees on Earth, as well as some of the oldest.
The tallest was measured at 379.3 feet, and the largest has a trunk diameter of about 18 feet.
They can live for more than 1,800 years!
And they all start right here!
This is a sequoia cone. A single cone can hold about 200 seeds, and a tree can hold about 20,000 cones. That means a single tree can hold 4 million seeds!
Obviously, not all of them grow to be full trees, though, and that's why it's important to leave cones where they are.
The temptation was too great for one child, though, who immediately regretted their decision on returning home.
But, like a truly stand-up individual, they did the right thing and returned the cone to the Parks, along with a letter of apology.
The Parks received this letter with an attached sequoia cone one day. The letter reads:
“To Whom It May Concern:
I took a pine cone out of the forest and I wanted to return it. I hope it will be placed near the General Grant tree because that is where I took it.
I am sorry for my decision.
Thank you."
The Parks published the note on Facebook, much to the delight of many readers, who voiced their approval in the comments.
The Parks also explained why removing even just one cone can have disastrous effects on the area.
"It's a tough environment here," they wrote. "The animals need their nibbles and the area needs the seeds and vegetation. Also, cones and other plants deteriorate and help to create soil in this rocky environment."
And other commenters, like Joe above, chimed in with some interesting facts about sequoia cones, and the way forest fires play an important role in the ecosystem.
It might seem like one cone couldn't make such a difference, but imagine if every visitor took a cone. There would be none left!
Conserving our natural spaces is incredibly important for all, and it's great that this visitor recognized the error or their ways and made things right again.
Please SHARE if this sweet child's effort to save our planet touched your heart!
