the hidden side of the human nature when the controlling power vanishes. The opinion expressed in the story is that any political or social group which forces other people to suppress their own human needs, even if they are considered luxuries, destroys an important part of humankind. And since human beings are a part of this nature, which shall be preserved in the story, a restriction of human behaviour can also be interpreted as a violation of nature. A reduction to a more thoughtful and ecological behaviour towards this world would be an agreeable aim, but in a moderate and respectful way, which grants nature and human beings the possibility to bloom. The origin of the title is probably the 1891 painting by Giovanni Segantini in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. See also Future Primitive: The New Ecotopias Dystopian literature Environmental fiction books British short stories 1993 short stories