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The precious stone and the seed
The precious stone and the seed
Earth as we knew it had ended a long time ago. Seas drowned and the sky was colorless, not even a single cloud remained. Cities were abandoned and all people have bought their tickets to the other land. None of the animals knew where they were going. They only realized humans took a pair of each kind of animal and put it into the space shift. The rest of them were staying.
-Do you know where they are taking them?- asked Dove to Mouse
-They are leaving Dove, and they are not taking us with them- answered Mouse
-But... Why?
-Well… I think they found a better home.
-Don’t you hear? - Said Raven, who appeared out of nothing- Humans are taking one species more with them.
- Which one of you, friends, will take the Golden ticket?
-I will, for I'm the smartest -Raven said
-No no no, that's not fair, this should be decided fair and square -replied Dove
-Well…- Raven interrupted – Humans said that whoever finds something essential will go with them.
- Interesting- Dove said- So I suggest a competition. Whoever finds that “something” wins.
And so it began. Each one on its own way, searched the "essential" thing humans needed. They flew through the whole world among, caves, remaining forests, destroyed cities, mines and craters. For the first time they both realized how little amount of life it remained. It took five days for Raven to go back where all the animals were gathered. Cricket was the first one that saw him.
- Raven in on his way! -he shouted
-What is he carrying inside his mouth? -Turtle asked
-It looks like a rock
-No, it shines when light touches it, look! There's a glimpse every now and then!
Raven arrived and animals crowded to see the special object he had brought.
It was kind of yellow and it shined like if it was a jewel, but it looked so dirty and old that it didn't seem so valuable.
-What is that you have with you Raven?
-It's a precious stone, humans value them a lot. I've seen them killing each other for one of this so they must be very valuable.
Three days later Dove returned. She looked very tired. Her white feathers were dirty and full of mud, and no one saw anything on her beak. When she landed she left a little seed in the ground.
-A seed? -Mouse asked
-Humans will need it on their new home, with water it will turn into a plant. So I thought they could take a little piece of Earth with them and use it to sustain life.
The animals decided Dove was the winner of the contest.
A week later, when humans were ready to set off Dove was the last one to settle on the space shift. She looked at the animals who were staying on the dying Earth. What will they do here? How long are they going to live?
When the space shift lifted off the animals saw a little bird that was flying outside, it was Dove. She decided that she didn't wanted to leave her friends here, she will keep hope and all together will bring Earth back to life.
The moral of the story is ““To keep hope even when it all seems lost”
Zyanya Dóniz
Ángel Zúñiga
