The Rain That Started The Fire

 The water pours from her face, tears staining her emerald green pants and sky blue shirt with little polka dots arranged in random patterns. Shouts of joy and distaste are to be heard down below. “I can’t believe it’s raining!” One voice shouts, out of hatred. “I was going to go for a walk, and now I can’t.”

  “Oh, don’t be such a baby,” another voice remarks. “Rain won’t make you melt. Besides, a little rain is good for our garden!”

  Silly mortals, she thinks. If only they knew the pain I’m in ― the pain I went through ― to bring them what they call “rain”. She glances towards a bright light, hoping it’ll help her stop the tears. She sings, “Oh my beautiful Son, give me light. Give me strength, and give me might. Keep me warm and dry in this beautiful daylight” As soon as her tears had started, they now cease to exist. However, her clothes are damp with dew. She sings again, “Oh my beautiful Son, give me light. Give me strength, give me might. Keep me warm and dry in this beautiful daylight.” A beam of light shoots out from her Son, hitting her right in the center of her core. The water that was once soaked into her emerald garments evaporates, reaching the white polka dots on her shirt, and into the blackness of her room ― the void ― she is floating in. She smiles, now hot to the touch. Mmm, so this is what it’s like to feel warm. My Son, you have an extraordinary superpower. 

  “Il fait chaud!”* A french child exclaims, taking off her jacket she once sported.

  “Oui, il fait chaud au dehors,"** her mother agrees, taking her hand and dragging her to the supermarche. Across the world, several people in a not-so-cold area take exclamation to the heat.

  “We live in freaking Wisconsin! Why is it so hot this time of year?” A man, who looks to be about in his 60s, exclaims.

  “Joe, c’mon, you know our weather fluctuates. Heck, last year it was snowing in May. May!!” Joe’s wife points at him. 

~~~

   Hmm, I’m feeling exhausted. 

  “Goodnight honey!”

  The humans are retiring for the night? She questions.

  Hello Mother. Another voice, from the near distance, peaks into existence.

  Oh my goodness Luna, you scared me, she says, placing a hand to her heart and turning to look at Luna. 

  Son went to bed, so naturally it’s my duty to take over. 

  Mmm yes, I suppose, the Earth murmurs, taking a deep breath. 

  What are you thinking about Mother?

  Nothing… I just feel a bit ill is all, she sighs.

  Yes Mother, I would be too if I had all of that, she gestures to Earth’s shirt, all over me. 

  What? Earth asks, as she looks down at her shirt and pants. Black ash has somehow made its way onto her once sky blue and white polka dotted shirt, turning it the color of graphite pencil lead. So that’s why I smelled smoke… she concludes. *Cough.*

  Mother? Are you okay?

  I’ll be fine Luna, she finishes, coughing yet again. 

  Son should be able to take care of you now Mother, Luna says, gesturing at Son who has risen from his slumber. Son nods in agreement, shining more brightness on Mother Earth.

  “Oh, Joe! Come and look at the sunrise with me,” Joe’s wife shouts from their porch just outside of their home.

  “I’m coming Betty!” Joe responds, stomping to the porch.

  My Son, you are quite a beautiful shining star aren’t you, Mother Earth remarks. Son nods, shining more light on Mother Earth.

  “Betty, where’s the sunrise?” Joe asks, tilting his head.

  “What? The sky is all foggy…” Betty coughs out.

  “Let’s get you inside,” Joe says as he ushers Betty back into their house. 

  *Cough, cough,* Mother Earth coughs as well, the ash on her shirt becoming darker. She begins to cry again. I’ve let the mortals down, she sobs. “Oh my beautiful Son, give me light. Give me strength, give me might. Keep me warm and dry in this beautiful daylight.” Earth manages to sing. On cue, the sun shines a bright beam of light towards Mother Earth, illuminating her once sky blue shirt and green pants that are now dirty to the touch. However, the light doesn’t fix things like it used to. *Wheeze,* Mother Earth coughs out. Her tears fail to dry as they continue to run down her cheeks. What is happening to me?

  Mother?

  Luna? What are you doing out? It’s not time for you to wake yet.

  Mother are you okay?

  I…*wheeze* I don't know. I feel hot to the touch. My mouth tastes like dirt, bitter, crumbly, and wet.

  Mother, you need to stay calm. 

  How can I stay calm when I don’t know what’s happening to me?! Mother Earth yells. Luna flinches. For the first time in Luna’s life, she’s never heard Mother yell. Son seems exceptionally puzzled as well. 

  “Today on Channel 3000 news at 3, Dane County is under a Flash Flood warning. Excessive amounts of water are flooding the streets, basements, and keeping people from leaving their homes. Please, only leave your house if you have an emergency, otherwise it’s best to stay right where you are.” The anchor pauses, listening to the voice in his earphone invisible to the audience’s eyes. “And there appears to be warnings of a tsunami and hurricane on their way towards Floridia right now. Let’s swing to Madeline to learn more.” 

  I… can’t… too… hot… breath… Mother Earth gasps, her clothes growing more black by the minute. 

  Mother? Luna asks, wide eyed. Color drains from Mother Earth’s face. She takes one last gasp of air. 

  I’m sorry, she mutters. You’ve failed me.

​

*Il fait chaud=It’s hot!

**Oui, il fait chaud au dehors= Yes, it’s hot outside.