Travelling the Asian Highway, far removed from the stress and strain of normal life, tends to focus the mind, and not least on the kindness and goodness of one's fellow human beings. There are also the living creatures that we take so much for granted: camels and donkeys, squirrels and crickets, and birds of every feather. The Living is sung by the children of The Chase High School at the inauguration of The Green Pennant Awards led by Chris Nicholls. The African version is by Lydia Lufungulo and the Heritage Singers.

Swans glide on the water so majestically.

Birds of every feather flying high and free.

Butterflies flaunt their beauty on the summer breeze.

Squirrels scamper wildly 'mong the autumn leaves.

Chorus

   O the living, living, living that surrounds me,

   On the land, in the sea and on the air.

   O the living, living, living that astounds me,

   In every little corner everywhere.

Corn fields bowing lowly for the harvesting.

Flowers give up their colours and their scents to spring

Orchards heavy laden, and the fruit hang ripe.

Hopfields and the vineyards add a spice to life.

Chorus

Elephants and the tigers and the kangaroo,

Lions, giraffes and monkeys in a common zoo,

Reptiles lie in waiting in the marshy lands,

Camels move in silence on the desert sands.

Chorus

Dwelling in the rivers and the deep blue sea,

Crabs and fish and oysters live in harmony

Whales are raising fountains, sharks await their prey

Still the world keeps turning through another day.

Chorus

Insects chorus loudly when the day is done.

Crickets dance a pibroch to the setting sun.

Frogs croak evening vespers as they go to bed.

Life still goes on living, though the world seems dead

Chorus