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Rocks and stones, as trivial as they seem to be, have an important role to play in the world.  The soil on which we are standing has been formed by the weathering of rocks and stones some thousands of years ago.

Rocks mainly occur as basalt rocks and coral rocks.  Basalt rocks and stones are of volcanic origin.  These rocks are obtained by the solidification of lava.  The stones are, on the other hand, collected on the cone of the volcano.  They contain minerals which further enrich the decaying basalt rocks.  Farmers as well as many people often collect the volcanic soil doubly fertile so as to grow crops which will yield twice their usual amount.  Coral rocks are obtained at sea.  Marine animals called polyps produce coral which by the action of waves become coral rocks.  At Plaine Corail and Pointe Coton in Rodrigues, great a number of coral rock is found. 

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Rocks and stones are usually grey and rough but there are some exceptions.  Some rocks can be red in colour, others blue.  There can be rough stones and smooth ones also.  For example, on the bed of rivers, flat, round and extremely polished stones can be obtained; when friction occurs between the river bed and the stones, the rough small rocks get a smooth surface.  Scientists have in the course of time discovered many forms of these natural rocks and stones.  Rocks have been split into macadam, chipping and rock-sand by stone crushers.  Gemstones and lime-stones are also some names given to the stones found in nature.

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Rock and stone have a place in history too.  The first hunters used sharp-pointed stones to cut the flesh of their preys which they killed by showering daggered rocks on the animals.  Then the stone spear was invented for the same purpose.  Among the Seven Wonders for the World, rocks and stones had been used in the building of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Pyramids and China’s Great Wall.  The famous Stonehenge found in southern England is made up of only stones.  Rocks and stones kept on their course with time and today are used for various purposes in different fields. 

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Huge stones and rocks are made into blocks used in the building of houses, buildings, bridges.  In other words, they are used in the field of construction mostly.  To construct roads, macadam and chippings are the usual materials used.  Rock-sand is mixed with cement to build houses etc and is much better than the sand extracted from the sea bed.  Precious stones including gemstones are very popular in the jewellery.  Stones like diamonds, rubies and emeralds cost a fortune nowadays.  Some persons buy these expensive stones and treasure them as their lucky charm.  Rocks and stones have their use even in prisons too; criminals are allocated hard labour – breaking rocks and huge stones into smaller units.  The old stones and rocks are finally used as decorations also as huge carvings and so on.  Although the rocks and stones lie peacefully on the ground, they may wake up anytime and surprise us by revealing some of our fossilised history.