Ahem…Roses are red, violets are blue, fungus and algae, can be friends too.

Okay my poem skills are lacking but I’ll do my best to share with you why fungus and algae are friends and how it relates to human relationships.

While out on a learning expedition my son’s teacher brought to our attention that the lichen we found on the rocks we were exploring is actually a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungus (a close and often long-term interaction between two different biological species). The Alga feeds the fungus, and the fungus protects the alga from the environment.

It’s like the bird that hangs out on the rhinos back…

Although a rhino and a bird are very different species and not likely to hang out in the same circles they surprisingly get along splendidly. The rhinoceros is relieved of the bugs on its back and the bird gets a full belly without having to fly around all day. Simply put, they’re different from one another but they get along and help each other.

We can encourage our kids to branch out and try to get to know other kids they normally wouldn’t hang out with. They could surprisingly hit it off and have a lot to offer one another.

I thought it was a wonderful lesson and the kids really took it to heart, as did I. I think as adults we get in ruts as well. We have our social circles and rarely make the effort to go beyond them. I’m going to try and keep my eyes open and make an effort to get to know others…good things could come of it.

Do you have any thoughts?

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