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Torol the tortoise: one memory of many lifetimes    

Authors: Ismael Fernandez & Joanna Porte                

Deep in the forest there used to be a huge and beautiful lake. The lake’s waters were so clear that it appeared as if they were made out of glass with cristals at the bottom that shined with every glims of light. Around this lake there lived many animals. It was coveres with vegetation and it was almost only covered with green. Each night the animals would gather to hear the sage speak. The sage was an old tortoise, wise beyond his years, fungi and mold grew from his carapace and his skin was wrinkled as were his droopy eyes. On this night Torol the tortoise decided it was proper to tell all who gatheres around him about one of many memories he had collected liftimes before.

         “Many ages ago there lived and old and proud race of animals. These animals were very kind, generous and intelligent. They lived in large groups outside of forests and near rivers. They planted crops for food and threw large parties where everyone danced and sang until daylight. The humans were a very happy race yet they were also extremely clever. Over time they started developing machines and inventions that made their lives easier. Humans decided that they did not want to work so hard and this realization gave birth to the rise of technology.

In a few years, humans traded the skirts of the forests for huge cities with buildings so high that no even the tallest trees could reach their height. A few years later, they traded their horse friends for roaring machines which could run even faster than cheetahs. Obviously humans were pleased with the inventions they acquired so they started developing more and more technology. What humans did not realize was that with every technological step they gave, they were creating an irreversible damage to the planet.

River stopped flowing, the air became black with all the smogg that engrossed the skies and the suns piercing rays could be felt even in the darkest shadow. Humans did not understand this, but we animals knew the truth; the planet was getting sick. Mother Earth tried to warn the humans. She sent them signs of the danger they were in. She sent incredibly powerful storms to awaken their consciousness and piercing cold to grab their attention. Despite all of these warnings, the humans didn’t change their ways. A time came when the planet was so sick; it was at the border of death. Mother Earth had to make a choice. She could spare the humans and let the planet die, or put and end to their destruction and save the planet. It was a hard choice, but one Mother Earth had to make.

And so, with a single cry carried by the wind the mountains awoke; they shook with anger and rage at the sight of their beloved home. Ashes and magma buried everything in it's path. The sea became restless and in its agitation it overflowed the shores and flooded countries. At last with a single tear Mother Earth shed for his creatures, the mountains and seas became overwhelmed with melancholy. Rain fell over the fertilized land and so was the end of human kind.

         This happened many years ago but we must still take it as a warning as to what might happen if we bring harm to our planet.” And with these words the old tortoise finished his story and went down to the river to take a soothing nap.