The Serviceberry (by Robin Wall Kimmerer)
I was delighted to finally have my turn at reading Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World.” I had thoroughly enjoyed “Braiding Sweetgrass,” and I was eager to delve back into Kimmerer’s insights in this latest work.
Kimmerer emphasizes the significance of the serviceberry tree and its abundant production, which serves both humans and birds. Honestly, I was unfamiliar with this tree and had to look up images online. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for them during my future nature walks. Not only does the tree produce delicious berries, but it also boasts gorgeous spring blooms and vibrant fall foliage.
Kimmerer compares the use of the serviceberry tree to our current human condition, where we tend to hoard resources for selfish gain. She argues that we have been taught to accumulate possessions and take more than we truly need. In contrast, Kimmerer explores the indigenous culture’s practice of sharing with its community, which she refers to as a gift economy. For instance, she shares a story about a man who hunted an animal and had an abundance of meat. Instead of storing it solely for his family’s consumption, he organized a feast and invited his community to partake in his bounty.
This concept resonated deeply with me. This summer, my husband and I embarked on our first garden journey. Naturally, our garden produced more vegetables than we could possibly consume, so we often shared them with our neighbors, who reciprocated by sharing their own abundance with us. It wasn’t our intention to be altruistic; it simply made sense to share. While listening to this book, I found myself reflecting on the ways my community engages in the gift economy and exploring ways to enhance my own participation in this practice.
Another aspect of Kimmerer’s book that I particularly enjoyed was her discussion of the public library. I never considered the services provided by the library as a gift economy, but it now makes perfect sense. She also mentions the existence of Little Free Libraries, which I find a treasure to discover.
It was an absolute pleasure to listen to Robin Wall Kimmerer narrate her book. Coincidentally, I borrowed it from my local library using Libby. The book is quite concise, clocking in at just two hours. Kimmerer’s stories and wisdom left me with a warm and comforting feeling.
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