The Money Tree is Not a Dump

     It’s the perfect summer day. There is a slight breeze blowing through Neopia Central, you just bought a plethora of new stamps, had a good meal at the Food Shop and are now gazing around to see what else you might do. Your eyes settle upon the Money Tree and you decide that you will check to see if it has anything that might be worth picking up, only to be met with the same Gorunda the Wise trading card and smelly shoes you saw last week. Let’s examine some thoughts from some very prolific Neopians!

     So, what gives? Why are people using the Money Tree as a dump? The answer is simple, it’s more convenient for Neopians to drop off their used goods here, as other places such as the Rubbish Dump are simply too out of the way.

     No, Neopians simply do not want to travel to Meridell to drop off their seventieth Samuel No Eyes or their piles of Rusty Old Cans. Rather, Neopians would just dirty up Neopia Central.

     Interestingly, there are some who are trying to combat pollution by donating things that might be useful. Upon visiting the Money Tree for research, we were greeted with a pleasant surprise! Someone had kindly dropped off some items from the nearby NC Mall. The item in question was quickly snatched up!

     “It’s nice to see stuff like that, for a change.” Said an acara, who is a self-proclaimed ‘Money Tree Rummager.’ “Normally when you stop by the money tree, it’s a lot of the same stuff. If you can’t find a use for an Old Rotten Right Shoe then I don’t think anyone else will,” The Acara continued.

     Now, I’m not saying that The Money Tree should be full of the most rare and expensive items. Rather, people should just throw away their garbage.

     I decided to take a trip to Meridell to talk to Charlie, owner and manager of the Meridell Rubbish Dump how he feels about garbage going to the wrong place.

     “I jus’ don’t get it.” Charlie said. “I mean, people need to git rid o’ their junk, so why not come here? I mean the good folks of Neopia Central got no reason to dirty up the place when there exists a perfectly fine dump. ‘Sides, King Skarl will only let us keep the dump open so long as people use it, and not many do anymore.”

     Charlie went on to say that sometimes people accidentally throw out the weirdest things, such as Paint Brushes or Codestones. One time, someone even dropped off a Whinny. These items, he feels, would probably see better use at the Money Tree.

     There was one last Neopian I wanted to ask, who was the keeper of Second-Hand Shoppe, Neopia’s one stop shop for all things clothing related. When asked about the Money Tree, he had this to say. “Neopians only really drop off clothes here and I think that really helps the community a lot. However, people only dropping off garbage at the Money Tree benefits absolutely no one. I mean, who is going to want or need garbage? If you did take home the garbage, it would probably just sit in your Safety Deposit Box and stink up the place. I suppose you can take some of the Kelp you see quite often and make compost out of it, but no one is going to need an Old Rotten Right Boot anytime soon.”

     Additionally, the Ruki wanted to say that he thanks everyone who has ever donated to The Second-Hand Shoppe, as your donations have helped out those in need. Though, he is quite tired of Mossy Rocks, he says he has quite the collection now.

      Interestingly, a lot of other Neopians don’t seem bothered by the fact that there is so much Garbage dumped at the Money Tree. A Royal Aisha had this to say. “I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, especially since the Money Tree Ghost comes and takes it all. Poof! All that smelly garbage gone in the blink of an eye. The real issue, I think, is the Scamander swarms that happen.”

     It's true that when the Scamander Swarm happens, Neopians can pick up one or two of the cute lizards from the Money Tree. However, the Scamanders that are not picked up usually end up escaping and some residents of Neopia Central have reported finding Scamanders tucked up in their houses well after the swarm ends.

     I tried to locate the Scamander in Chief, but he is very elusive, I was not able to interview him. Perhaps I may interview him soon. That is, if he even wants to be found.

     One final citizen had this to say, “I love The Money Tree, honestly. It’s a staple of Neopia Central, as is the garbage. I don’t think The Money Tree just would not be the same without Muddy Bones or Old Paper. I stop there every week just to see the garbage. When I see the garbage, I think ‘Yeah, I’m home’”

     In conclusion, the Money Tree should be a place of donating items that aren’t necessarily rare, and are not necessarily garbage. It should be a place of donating items that would serve to benefit those less fortunate. On top of that, garbage should be sent to the Rubbish Dump in Meridell.

     The Money Tree is a true staple of Neopia Central and of Neopia in general. For the moment it has mysteriously been painted Grey and has a very glum expression plastered on his usually smiling face. Could this have to do with the amount of garbage that has been donated to it? Probably not, there is something much more sinister going on... Hopefully, he returns to normal soon!

     The Money Tree, The Rubbish Dump and the Second-Hand Shoppe are all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to those who might need their services. I implore you to really take advantage of these services and keep Neopia Central Clean!