I am an old lime tree, older than the Romanesque church built to my right; older than the ING bank building built to my left. Sometimes I think I am allowed to live for so many centuries because I have a message for people who are concerned about the state of the climate and the earth.

On a beautiful spring day when my blossoms spread a delightful perfume, I attract not only insects but also humans, although they are hardly aware of it. For example, two stranded travellers arrived on this square. They had a few hours to rest between two train journeys. They were drinking coffee in a friendly atmosphere on the terrace opposite. The man, a diamond merchant by profession, stared incessantly at the bank and wondered why there was only one bank office on such a large square. I had immediately won over the woman who was a writer. She admired my enormous crown. She also knew that I was a lime tree and remembered the fine statues of Mary and other sculptures that humans make with soft lime wood.

The two had met by chance on the train. The man could not believe that the woman had little interest in money. The woman could not believe that the man had never met an anti-capitalist before. He looked for arguments to convince her that she was wrong. Money was the most important thing in his life. His eye fell on the Romanesque building.

‘Look,’ he said, happy with his find. ‘That church over there, it has been there longer than the ING bank. Once upon a time, the church was the most important thing in a person’s life. The institution was a way to keep people modest and docile, everyone in line. The desire for eternal life in heaven has now been replaced by the desire for as much money as possible. Do you understand?’

The woman nodded. Deep inside, she asked for help. A wind picked up. I took the opportunity to convey my message with my blossom scents. The woman clearly liked it. Wondering if she would also be open to my ideas.

A radiant smile appeared on her lips.

‘Do you see that huge old lime tree next to the church?’ she asked the man.

‘Yes, certainly,’ he answered, rationally and still convinced of his position.

‘That lime tree has been there longer than the church and the bank. The tree used to be the meeting place for the villagers, and trees were the most important thing in their lives. Trees gave wood, medicine, food, advice, warmth, shade, friendship. Forests were like cathedrals. One day humans will understand that you can’t buy a new planet with all the money we’ve collected. One can go a long way with trees. They are our allies in the survival of our species. We are evolving towards a world in which everyone will once again focus on trees: forests, woods, biodiversity.’

She had fully received my message. She herself was astonished by the words she spoke. The man remained silent and nodded with concern.