penguin books
The Book of Hope ‘A true hero’ Greta Thunberg ‘One of the most impactful and important leaders on the planet. Jane spends nearly every day spreading optimism and raising awareness worldwide; hers is a powerful message to protect the inherent rights of every living creature, to provide hope for future generations and to sound an urgent call against the greatest environmental threat of all – climate change’ Leonardo DiCaprio ‘A woman who turned the world of zoology upside down’ Sir David Attenborough ‘A lifetime of experience and wisdom combines with much-needed optimism in this guide to the climate crisis and what we can do about it’ Guardian ‘Goodall’s tales are undeniably uplifting, as is her life story. Hers is no rose-tinted vision, but a lucidly argued conviction that hope is a human survival trait’ Financial Times ‘I don’t feel there could have been a more timely moment for this book to be coming into our lives . . . it’s the book we’ve been waiting for. It’s the book we’ve been hoping for’ Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk ‘Both a memoir of a well-lived life and a compendium of stories of people who succeed because they won’t give up’ New Scientist ‘Her message is contagious, her gentleness persuasive, her wisdom deep, and if this little book were to be gifted in households across the world . . . then perhaps her message of hope would grow roots and shoots and unite us’ Washington Post
‘Illuminating . . . teases out Goodall’s thoughts on why one should feel hopeful in “dark times”. In unpacking her belief in the power of persistence, Goodall takes readers to her childhood home in England, where her family questioned if she had the constitution to travel to Africa; to Tanzania, where she studied chimpanzees and came face to face with “crippling poverty, lack of good education and degradation of the land”; and into her work as a UN Messenger of Peace. Her infectious optimism and stirring call to action make this necessary reading for those concerned about the planet’s future. Goodall’s rousing testament will resonate widely’ Publishers Weekly ‘At eighty-seven, the world-renowned naturalist and conservationist remains a doughty campaigner who has inspired Greta Thunberg and countless others. Now she draws on the wisdom of a lifetime dedicated to nature to explain why she still has hope for the natural world and humanity. In a series of enthralling conversations with her co-author Abrams, she weaves together stories from her travels and activism to offer a manifesto of hope – which shows that even in our current state of adversity, we can still take inspiration from nature’ Bookseller ‘It gives accessibility, lightness and even warmth to what might otherwise be some heavy, distressing topics. This is a book that asks us – finally – to take action. Beautifully written, with a lot of heart and insight, this is a lovely, uplifting read that is still rooted in the real’ Buzz ‘An informative road map of ideas for ways in which every person may help bring about positive change in the world, rooted firmly in an awareness of how bad things have really gotten’ Barbara J. King, author of Animals’ Best Friends
about the author s Dr Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, was born in the UK. In July 1960, at the age of twenty-six, she travelled to what is now Tanzania, venturing into the forests of Gombe and the world of wild chimpanzees. Equipped with little more than a notebook, binoculars and her fascination with wildlife, Dr Goodall braved a realm of unknowns to give the world a remarkable window into the lives of humankind’s closest living relatives. From those early days in the remote forests of Gombe to the lecture halls of Cambridge (where she earned a PhD in ethology with no prior degree) and Stanford (as a visiting professor in human biology), through sixty years of groundbreaking research, Dr Goodall has become one of the most recognized living scientists in the world. Douglas Abrams is the co-author of the international bestseller The Book of Joy, with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. He has had the privilege of working on behalf of Nelson Mandela, Jody Williams, Elizabeth Blackburn, Stephen Hawking, and many other luminaries and Nobel Laureates. Abrams is the founder of Idea Architects, a literary agency that works with visionaries to create a wiser, healthier and more just world. The Book of Hope is the second in the Global Icon series.
AALLSSOO BBYY JJAANNEE GGOOOODA DALLLL My My Friends Friends the the Wild Wild Chimpanzees Chimpanzees Innocent Innocent Killers Killers In In the the Shadow Shadow of of Man Man The The Chimpanzees Chimpanzees of of Gombe: Gombe: Patterns Patterns of of Behavior Behavior Through Through aa Window: Window: My My Thirty Thirty Years Years with with the the Chimpanzees Chimpanzees of of Gombe Gombe Visions Visions of of Caliban: Caliban: On On Chimpanzees Chimpanzees and and People People Brutal Brutal Kinship Kinship Reason Reason for for Hope: Hope: AA Spiritual Spiritual Journey Journey Africa Africa in in My My Blood: Blood: An An Autobiography Autobiography in in Letters: Letters: The The Early Early Years Years Beyond Beyond Innocence: Innocence: An An Autobiography Autobiography in in Letters: Letters: The The Later Later Years Years The The Ten Ten Trusts: Trusts: What What We We Must Must Do Do to to Care Care for for the the Animals Animals We We Love Love Harvest Harvest for for Hope: Hope: AA Guide Guide to to Mindful Mindful Eating Eating (with (with Gary Gary McAvoy McAvoy and and Gail Gail Hudson) Hudson) Hope Hope for for Animals Animals and and Their Their World: World: How How Endangered Endangered Species Species Are Are Being Being Rescued Rescued from from the the Brink Brink (with (with Thane Thane Maynard Maynard and and Gail Gail Hudson) Hudson) Seeds Seeds of of Hope: Hope: Wisdom Wisdom and and Wonder Wonder from from the the World World of of Plants Plants (with (with Gail Gail Hudson Hudson and and Michael Michael Pollan) Pollan) THE THE GLOBAL GLOBAL ICONS ICONS SERIES SERIES
The The Book Book of of Joy: Joy: Lasting Lasting Happiness Happiness in in aa Changing Changing World World by by His His Holiness Holiness the the Dalai Dalai Lama Lama and and Archbishop Archbishop Desmond Desmond Tutu Tutu with with Douglas Douglas Abrams Abrams The The Book Book of of Hope: Hope: AA Survival Survival Guide Guide for for Trying Trying Times Times by by Jane Jane Goodall Goodall and and Douglas Douglas Abrams Abrams
T TH HE EB BO OO OK KO OF F
HOPE A A SSU UR RV VIIVA VALL G GU UIID DE E FFO OR R T TRY RYIIN NG GT TIIM ME ESS
JANE GOODALL A AN ND D
DOUGLAS ABRAMS with with GAIL GAIL HUDSON HUDSON
P EN GU I N B O O K S
PE N G UIN BOOKS UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
First published in the United States of America by Celadon Books 2021 First published in Great Britain by Viking 2021 Published in Penguin Books 2022 001 Copyright © Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, 2021 The moral right of the authors has been asserted The names and identifying characteristics of some persons described in this book have been changed, as have dates, places and other details of events depicted in the book. Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–0–241–47946–9
www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.
To Mum, Rusty, Louis Leakey, and David Greybeard — JANE GOODALL
To my parents, and to Hassan Edward Carroll and all who struggle to find hope — DOUG ABRAMS
Contents Contents
AAN N IIN NVVIITAT TATIIO ON N TTO OH HO OPPEE
xiii xiii
I. I. What What Is Is Hope? Hope?
Whisky Whisky and and Swahili Swahili Bean Bean Sauce Sauce 33 IsIs Hope Hope Real? Real? 88 Have Have You You Ever Ever Lost Lost Hope? Hope? 11 11 Can Can Science Science Explain Explain Hope? Hope? 26 26 How How Do Do We We Have Have Hope Hope in in Trying Trying Times? Times? 31 31 II. II. Jane’s Jane’s Four Four Reasons Reasons for for Hope Hope
Reason Reason 1: 1: The The Amazing Amazing Human Human Intellect Intellect 41 41 From From Prehistoric Prehistoric Ape Ape to to Master Master of of the the World World 44 44 Half Half Sinner, Sinner, Half Half Saint Saint 48 48 AA New New Universal Universal Moral Moral Code Code 53 53 The The Wise? Wise? Ape Ape 58 58 Reason Reason 2: 2: The The Resilience Resilience of of Nature Nature 65 65 EcoEco-Grief Grief
73 73
The The Will Will to to Live Live 80 80 Adapt Adapt or or Perish Perish 84 84
Contents
x
Nurturing Mother Nature Rescued from the Brink
86 90
The Tapestry of Life
95
Our Need for Nature
104
Reason 3: The Power of Young People Love in a Hopeless Place
118
“I Don’t Want Your Hope”
126
Millions of Drops Make an Ocean Nurturing the Future
111
130
134
Reason 4: The Indomitable Human Spirit When I Decide to Climb Everest The Spirit That Never Surrenders
143
146 152
Nurturing the Indomitable Spirit in Children
160
How the Indomitable Human Spirit Helps Us Heal We Need Each Other
162
166
III. Becoming a Messenger of Hope
A Lifelong Journey Challenges in Africa
177 197
From Shy Young Woman to Global Public Speaker “Let’s Just Say It Was a Mission” Was It Coincidence? Spiritual Evolution
199
201
206 210
Jane’s Next Great Adventure
215
Conclusion: A Message of Hope from Jane AC K N OW L E D G M E N T S F U RT H E R R E A D I N G
235 241
( JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE/BILL WALLAUER)
An Invitation to Hope
We are going through dark times. There is armed confl ict in many parts of the world, racial and religious discrimination, hate crimes, terrorist attacks, a political swing to the far right fueling demonstrations and protests that, all too often, become violent. The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening and fomenting anger and unrest. Democracy is under attack in many countries. On top of all that, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much suffering and death, loss of jobs, and economic chaos around the world. And the climate crisis, temporarily pushed into the background, is an even greater threat to our future—indeed, to all life on Earth as we know it. Climate change is not something that might affect us in the future—it is affecting us now with changing weather patterns around the globe: melting ice; rising sea levels; and catastrophically powerful hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons. There is worse flooding, longer droughts, and devastating fires that are breaking out around the globe. For the first time, fires have even been recorded in the Arctic Circle. “Jane is almost ninety years old,” you may be thinking. “If she is
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aware aware of of what what isis going going on on in in the the world, world, how how can can she she still still be be writing writing about about hope? hope? She She isis probably probably giving giving in in to to wishful wishful thinking. thinking. She She isis not not facing facing up up to to the the facts.” facts.” II am am facing facing up up to to the the facts. facts. And And on on many many days days II admit admit that that II feel feel depressed, depressed, days days when when itit seems seems that that the the eff efforts, orts, the the struggles, struggles, and and the the sacrifi sacrifices ces of of so so many many people people fifighting ghting for for social social and and environmental environmental justice, justice, fifighting ghting prejudice prejudice and and racism racism and and greed, greed, are are fifighting ghting aa losing losing battle. battle. The The forces forces raging raging around around us— us—greed, greed, corruption, corruption, hatred, hatred, blind blind prejudice— prejudice—are are ones ones we we might might be be foolish foolish to to think think we we can can overcome. overcome. It’s It’s understandable understandable that that there there are are days days we we feel feel we we are are doomed doomed to to sit sit back back and and watch watch the the world world end end “not “not with with aa bang bang but but aa whimper” whimper” (T. (T. S. S. Eliot). Eliot). Over Over the the last last eight eight decades decades II have have been been no no stranger stranger to to disasters disasters such such as as 9/11, 9/11, school school shootings, shootings, suicide suicide bombings, bombings, and and so so on, on, and and the the despair despair that that some some of of these these terrible terrible events events can can elicit. elicit. II grew grew up up during during World World War War II, II, when when the the world world risked risked being being overrun overrun by by Hitler Hitler and and the the Nazis. Nazis. II lived lived through through the the Cold Cold War War arms arms race, race, when when the the world world was was threatened threatened by by aa thermonuclear thermonuclear holocaust, holocaust, and and the the horrors horrors of of the the many many confl conflicts icts that that have have condemned condemned millions millions to to torture torture and and death death around around the the globe. globe. Like Like all all people people who who live live long long enough, enough, II have have been been through through many many dark dark periods periods and and seen seen so so much much suff suffering. ering. But But each each time time II become become depressed depressed II think think of of all all the the amazing amazing stostories ries of of the the courage, courage, steadfastness, steadfastness, and and determination determination of of those those who who are are fifighting ghting the the “forces “forces of of evil.” evil.” For, For, yes, yes, II do do believe believe there there isis evil evil amongst amongst us. us. But But how how much much more more powerful powerful and and inspirational inspirational are are the the voices voices of of those those who who stand stand up up against against it. it. And And even even when when they they lose lose their their lives, lives, their their voices voices still still resonate resonate long long after after they they are are gone, gone, givgiving ing us us inspiration inspiration and and hope— hope—hope hope in in the the ultimate ultimate goodness goodness of of this this strange, strange, confl conflicted icted human human animal animal that that evolved evolved from from an an apelike apelike creacreature ture some some six six million million years years ago. ago.
An An Invitation Invitation to to Hope Hope
xv xv
Ever Ever since since II began began traveling traveling around around the the world world in in 1986 1986 to to raise raise awareness awareness about about the the harm harm we we humans humans have have created, created, socially socially and and enenvironmentally, vironmentally, II have have met met so so many many people people who who have have told told me me they they have have lost lost hope hope for for the the future. future. Young Young people people especially especially have have been been anangry, gry, depressed, depressed, or or just just apathetic apathetic because, because, they’ve they’ve told told me, me, we we have have compromised compromised their their future future and and they they feel feel there there isis nothing nothing they they can can do do about about it. it. But But while while itit isis true true that that we we have have not not just just compromised compromised but but stolen stolen their their future future as as we we have have relentlessly relentlessly plundered plundered the the fifinite nite resources resources of of our our planet planet with with no no concern concern for for future future generations, generations, II do do not not believe believe itit isis too too late late to to do do something something to to put put things things right. right. Probably Probably the the question question II am am asked asked more more often often than than any any other other is: is: Do Do you you honestly honestly believe believe there there isis hope hope for for our our world? world? For For the the future future of of our our children children and and grandchildren? grandchildren? And And II am am able able to to answer answer truthfully, truthfully, yes. yes. II believe believe we we still still have have aa window window of of time time during during which which we we can can start start healing healing the the harm harm we we have have infl inflicted icted on on the the planet— planet—but but that that window window isis closing. closing. IfIf we we care care about about the the future future of of our our children children and and theirs, theirs, ifif we we care care about about the the health health of of the the natural natural world, world, we we must must get get together together and and take take action. action. Now— Now— before before itit isis too too late. late. What What isis this this “hope” “hope” that that II still still believe believe in, in, that that keeps keeps me me motimotivated vated to to carry carry on, on, fifighting ghting the the good good fifight? ght? What What do do II really really mean mean by by “hope”? “hope”? Hope Hope isis often often misunderstood. misunderstood. People People tend tend to to think think that that itit isis simsimply ply passive passive wishful wishful thinking: thinking: II hope hope something something will will happen happen but but I’m I’m not not going going to to do do anything anything about about it. it. This This isis indeed indeed the the opposite opposite of of real real hope, hope, which which requires requires action action and and engagement. engagement. Many Many people people underunderstand stand the the dire dire state state of of the the planet— planet—but but do do nothing nothing about about itit because because they they feel feel helpless helpless and and hopeless. hopeless. That That isis why why this this book book isis important, important, as as itit will, will, II hope hope (!), (!), help help people people realize realize that that their their actions, actions, however however small small
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An Invitation to Hope
they may seem, will truly make a difference. The cumulative effect of thousands of ethical actions can help to save and improve our world for future generations. And why would you bother to take action if you did not truly hope that it would make a difference? My reasons for hope in these dark times will become clear in this book, but for now let me say that without hope, all is lost. It is a crucial survival trait that has sustained our species from the time of our Stone Age ancestors. Certainly, my own improbable journey would have been impossible had I lacked hope. All of this and more I discussed with my coauthor, Doug Abrams, throughout the pages of this little book. Doug proposed the book as a dialogue similar to that of The Book of Joy, which he had written with the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In the chapters that follow, Doug serves as the narrator, sharing the dialogues that took place between us in Africa and Europe. With Doug’s help, I am now able to share with you what I have learned about hope throughout my long life and study of the natural world. Hope is contagious. Your actions will inspire others. It is my sincere desire that this book will help you find solace in a time of anguish, direction in a time of uncertainty, courage in a time of fear. We invite you to join us on this journey toward hope.
Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE, UN Messenger of Peace
Reaching across the nonexistent barrier once thought to divide us from the rest of the animal kingdom. ( JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE/HUGO VAN LAWICK)
I
W h a t I s H o p e?
Whisky Whisky and and Swahili Swahili Bean Bean Sauce Sauce
ItIt was was the the night night before before we we were were to to begin begin our our dialogues. dialogues. II was was nervous— nervous—because because the the stakes stakes were were high. high. The The world world seemed seemed to to need need hope hope more more than than ever, ever, and and in in the the months months since since reaching reaching out out to to Jane Jane to to ask ask ifif she she wanted wanted to to share share her her reasons reasons for for hope hope in in aa new new book, book, the the subject subject of of hope hope had had been been uppermost uppermost in in my my thoughts. thoughts. What What isis it? it? Why Why do do we we have have it? it? IsIs hope hope real? real? Can Can hope hope be be cultivated? cultivated? IsIs there there really really hope hope for for our our species? species? II knew knew my my role role was was to to ask ask the the questions questions we we all all wrestle wrestle with with as as we we experience experience adversity adversity and and even, even, at at times, times, despair. despair. Jane Jane isis aa global global hero hero who who has has traveled traveled the the world world for for decades decades as as aa messenger messenger of of hope, hope, and and II was was eager eager to to understand understand her her confi confidence dence in in the the future. future. Equally, Equally, II wanted wanted to to know know how how she she had had sustained sustained hope hope during during her her own own challenging challenging and and pioneering pioneering life. life. As As II was was eagerly eagerly and and anxiously anxiously preparing preparing my my questions, questions, the the phone phone rang. rang. “Would “Would you you like like to to come come around around for for dinner dinner with with the the family?” family?” Jane Jane asked. asked. II had had just just landed landed in in Dar Dar es es Salaam, Salaam, and and II told told her her II would would be be delighted delighted to to join join her her and and meet meet her her family. family. ItIt would would be be aa chance chance not not just just to to meet meet the the icon icon but but to to see see her her as as mother mother and and grandmother; grandmother; to to break break bread; bread; and, and, as as II suspected, suspected, to to sip sip whisky. whisky. Finding Finding Jane’s Jane’s house house isis not not easy, easy, as as there there isis no no real real street street address. address. ItIt isis down down aa number number of of dirt dirt roads roads and and next next to to the the large large compound compound of of
44
The The Book Book of of Hope Hope
Julius Julius Nyerere, Nyerere, the the fifirst rst president president of of Tanzania. Tanzania. II was was afraid afraid II might might be be late late as as the the taxi taxi tried tried unsuccessfully unsuccessfully to to fifind nd the the right right entrance entrance in in the the treetree-covered covered neighborhood. neighborhood. The The red red sun sun was was descending descending quickly quickly and and there there were were no no streetlights streetlights to to guide guide us. us. When When we we fifinally nally found found the the house, house, Jane Jane greeted greeted me me at at the the door door with with aa warm warm smile smile and and wide, wide, penetrating penetrating eyes. eyes. Her Her gray gray hair hair was was pulled pulled back back in in aa ponytail, ponytail, and and she she wore wore aa green green buttonbutton-down down shirt shirt and and khaki khaki pants, pants, which which looked looked aa little little like like the the uniform uniform of of aa park park ranger. ranger. On On her her shirt shirt was was aa logo logo for for the the Jane Jane Goodall Goodall Institute Institute ((JGI) JGI) with with the the symbols symbols of of the the organization: organization: aa profi profile le of of Jane, Jane, aa chimpanzee chimpanzee knuckknuckling ling on on all all fours, fours, aa leaf leaf for for the the environment, environment, and and aa hand hand for for the the huhumans mans that that she she has has come come to to realize realize need need protection protection along along with with the the chimps. chimps. Jane Jane isis eightyeighty-six, six, but but inexplicably inexplicably she she doesn’t doesn’t seem seem to to have have aged aged very very much much since since she she fifirst rst went went to to Gombe Gombe and and graced graced the the cover cover of of National NationalGeographic. Geographic. II wondered wondered ifif there there isis something something about about hope hope and and purpose purpose that that keeps keeps one one endlessly endlessly young. young. But But what what stands stands out out most most isis Jane’s Jane’s will. will. ItIt shines shines from from her her hahazel zel eyes eyes like like aa force force of of nature. nature. ItIt isis the the same same will will that that fifirst rst moved moved her her halfway halfway around around the the globe globe to to study study animals animals in in Africa Africa and and has has kept kept her her traveling traveling for for the the last last thirty thirty years. years. Before Before the the pandemic, pandemic, she she was was spending spending more more than than three three hundred hundred days days aa year year lecturing lecturing about about the the risks risks of of environmental environmental destruction destruction and and habitat habitat loss. loss. Finally, Finally, the the world world isis starting starting to to listen. listen. II knew knew that that Jane Jane liked liked her her evening evening whisky whisky and and had had brought brought her her aa bottle bottle of of her her favorite, favorite, Green Green Label Label Johnnie Johnnie Walker. Walker. She She graciously graciously accepted accepted it— it—but but later later she she told told me me II should should have have bought bought the the cheaper cheaper one, one, Red Red Label, Label, and and donated donated the the extra extra money money to to her her environmental environmental organization, organization, the the Jane Jane Goodall Goodall Institute. Institute.
What What Is Is Hope? Hope?
55
In In the the kitchen, kitchen, Maria, Maria, her her daughterdaughter-inin-law, law, had had prepared prepared aa TanzaTanzanian nian vegetarian vegetarian meal. meal. There There was was coconut coconut rice rice served served with with aa creamy creamy Swahili Swahili bean bean sauce; sauce; lentils lentils and and peas peas with with aa hint hint of of ground ground peanuts, peanuts, curry, curry, and and coriander; coriander; and and sautéed sautéed spinach. spinach. Jane Jane says says she she cares cares nothnothing ing about about food, food, but but II can’t can’t say say the the same same and and my my mouth mouth was was already already beginning beginning to to water. water. She She placed placed my my little little gift gift on on the the counter counter next next to to aa giant, giant, fourfour-andandaa-halfhalf-liter liter bottle bottle of of Famous Famous Grouse Grouse whisky. whisky. Jane’s Jane’s adult adult grandchilgrandchildren dren had had gotten gotten itit for for her her as as aa surprise, surprise, and and they they explained explained that that itit was was so so much much cheaper cheaper to to buy buy in in bulk bulk and and would would surely surely last last for for the the time time she she would would be be with with them. them. Her Her grandchildren grandchildren live live in in the the house house in in Dar Dar es es Salaam Salaam where where Jane Jane moved moved when when she she married married her her second second husband, husband, though though in in those those days days most most of of her her time time was was still still spent spent in in Gombe. Gombe. Now Now Jane Jane spends spends time time in in the the house house only only during during her her short short twicetwice-aayear year visits visits to to Tanzania Tanzania and and only only for for aa few few days days at at aa time, time, as as she she also also goes goes back back to to Gombe Gombe and and other other towns towns in in Tanzania. Tanzania. For For her, her, an an evening evening tot tot of of whisky whisky isis aa nightly nightly ritual ritual and and an an opporopportunity tunity to to relax relax and, and, when when possible, possible, toast toast with with friends. friends. “It “It all all started,” started,” she she explained, explained, “because “because Mum Mum and and II always always shared shared aa ‘wee ‘wee dram’ dram’ every every evening evening when when II was was at at home. home. So So we we went went on on raising raising aa glass glass to to each each other other at at 77 p.m. p.m. wherever wherever II was was in in the the world.” world.” She She has has also also found found that that when when her her voice voice gets gets really really tired tired from from too too many many interviews interviews and and lectures, lectures, aa small small sip sip of of whisky whisky tightens tightens the the vovocal cal cords cords and and enables enables her her to to get get through through aa lecture. lecture. “And,” “And,” said said Jane, Jane, “four “four opera opera singers singers and and one one popular popular rock rock singer singer have have told told me me that that this this works works for for them, them, too.” too.” II sat sat next next to to Jane Jane at at the the outdoor outdoor table table on on the the veranda veranda as as she she and and her her family family laughed laughed and and told told stories. stories. The The thick thick bougainvillea bougainvillea surrounding surrounding us us almost almost felt felt like like aa forest forest canopy canopy in in the the candlelight. candlelight.
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With With my my family family in in Dar Dar es es Salaam. Salaam. Left Left to to right: right: grandson grandson Merlin; Merlin; his his half half brother brother Kiki, Kiki, son son of of Maria; Maria; my my grandson grandson Nick, Nick, half half brother brother to to Merlin; Merlin; JANE GOODALL GOODALL INSTITUTE/COURINSTITUTE/COURgranddaughter granddaughter Angel; Angel; and and my my son son Grub. Grub. ((JANE TESY TESY OF OF THE THE GOODALL GOODALL FAMILY) FAMILY)
Merlin, Merlin, her her eldest eldest grandson, grandson, was was twentytwenty-fifive ve years years old. old. Years Years earlier, earlier, when when he he was was eighteen, eighteen, after after aa wild wild night night with with friends friends he he had had dived dived into into an an empty empty swimming swimming pool. pool. He He was was left left with with aa broken broken neck, neck, and and the the injury injury had had caused caused him him to to change change his his life, life, to to give give up up partying, partying, and, and, like like his his sister sister Angel, Angel, follow follow his his grandmother grandmother into into conservation conservation work. work. Jane, Jane, the the understated understated matriarch, matriarch, sat sat at at the the head head of of the the table, table, her her pride pride clearly clearly evident. evident. Jane Jane put put mosquito mosquito repellent repellent on on her her ankles ankles and and we we joked joked that that the the mosquitos mosquitos were were not not vegetarians. vegetarians. “Only “Only the the female female sucks sucks blood,” blood,” Jane Jane pointed pointed out. out. “The “The males males just just live live off off nectar.” nectar.” Through Through the the eyes eyes of of the the naturalist, naturalist, the the bloodsucking bloodsucking mosquitoes mosquitoes were were simply simply mothers mothers who who were were trying trying to to get get aa blood blood meal meal to to feed feed their their off offspring. spring. That That didn’t didn’t quite quite change change my my dislike dislike of of these these historic historic foes foes of of humanity, humanity, however. however.
What What Is Is Hope? Hope?
77
Angel Angel isis working working with with our our Roots Roots & & Shoots Shoots program program and and Merlin Merlin isis helping helping to to develop develop an an education education center center in in an an ancient ancient remnant remnant forest forest (K 15 15 PHOTOS/FEMINA PHOTOS/FEMINA HIP) HIP) near near Dar Dar es es Salaam. Salaam. (K
As As the the conversation conversation and and family family stories stories paused, paused, II wanted wanted to to ask ask Jane Jane the the questions questions that that had had been been absorbing absorbing me me ever ever since since we we fifirst rst decided decided to to collaborate collaborate on on aa book book about about hope. hope. As As aa born-and-raised born-and-raised and and somewhat somewhat skeptical skeptical New New Yorker, Yorker, II had had to to admit admit that that II was was suspicious suspicious of of hope. hope. ItIt seemed seemed like like aa weak weak reresponse, sponse, aa passive passive acceptance— acceptance—“let’s “let’s hope hope for for the the best.” best.” ItIt seemed seemed like like aa panacea panacea or or aa fantasy. fantasy. AA willful willful denial denial or or blind blind faith faith to to cling cling to to dedespite spite the the facts facts and and the the grim grim reality reality of of life. life. II was was afraid afraid of of having having false false
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The The Book Book of of Hope Hope
hope, hope, that that misguided misguided imposter. imposter. Even Even cynicism cynicism felt felt safer safer in in some some ways ways than than taking taking the the risk risk of of hope. hope. Certainly, Certainly, fear fear and and anger anger seemed seemed like like more more useful useful responses, responses, ready ready to to sound sound the the alarm, alarm, especially especially during during times times of of crisis crisis like like this. this. II also also wanted wanted to to know know what what the the diff difference erence was was between between hope hope and and optimism, optimism, whether whether Jane Jane had had ever ever lost lost hope, hope, and and how how we we keep keep hope hope in in dark dark times. times. But But these these questions questions would would need need to to wait wait until until the the next next morning, morning, as as itit was was getting getting late late and and the the dinner dinner party party was was breaking breaking up. up. Is Is Hope Hope Real? Real?
When When II returned returned the the next next day— day—aa little little less less nervous— nervous—to to begin begin our our conversation conversation about about hope, hope, Jane Jane and and II sat sat on on her her veranda veranda in in old, old, sturdy sturdy wooden wooden folding folding chairs chairs with with green green canvas canvas seats seats and and backs. backs. We We looked looked out out at at the the backyard backyard so so fifilled lled with with trees trees that that itit was was almost almost impossible impossible to to see see the the Indian Indian Ocean Ocean just just beyond. beyond. AA chorus chorus of of tropical tropical birds birds sang, sang, screeched, screeched, cackled, cackled, and and called. called. Two Two rescue rescue dogs dogs came came to to curl curl up up at at Jane’s Jane’s feet, feet, and and aa cat cat meowed meowed through through aa screen, screen, insistent insistent about about concontributing tributing to to the the conversation. conversation. Jane Jane seemed seemed aa little little like like aa modernmodern-day day Saint Saint Francis Francis of of Assisi, Assisi, surrounded surrounded by by and and protecting protecting all all the the animals. animals. “What “What isis hope?” hope?” II began. began. “How “How do do you you defi define ne it?” it?” “Hope,” “Hope,” Jane Jane said, said, “is “is what what enables enables us us to to keep keep going going in in the the face face of of adversity. adversity. ItIt isis what what we we desire desire to to happen, happen, but but we we must must be be prepared prepared to to work work hard hard to to make make itit so.” so.” Jane Jane grinned. grinned. “Like “Like hoping hoping this this will will be be aa good good book. book. But But itit won’t won’t be be ifif we we don’t don’t bloody bloody work work at at it.” it.” II smiled. smiled. “Yes, “Yes, that that isis defi definitely nitely one one of of my my hopes, hopes, too. too. You You said said that that hope hope isis what what we we desire desire to to happen, happen, but but we we need need to to be be prepared prepared to to work work hard. hard. So So does does hope hope require require action?” action?” “I “I don’t don’t think think all all hope hope requires requires action, action, because because sometimes sometimes you you