“Listen, I have a plan but you have to say yes,” said Naya as her eyes traced Noorie’s computer screen, checking to see if she finished typing the rest of the sentence. With a last click on the full stop, Noorie bent backward to see Naya’s face gleaming.

Sometimes nature whispers of fragility or interconnectedness. Sometimes it offers contemplation in moments of deep silence. At other times nature shouts. When the thousands of waterlilies bloom on the lake in Barisal known as Shaplar Beel, “Lake of the Waterlilies,” nature reminds in loud announcement that life is a great celebration.