In the garden she was lovingly cultivating, Mother Nature stood back. The plants were doing well, flourishing even, producing flowers and fruit of every colour, even some she hadn’t invented yet – they were going it alone. Birds and insects carried pollen from one part of the garden to another, cross-pollinating, creating forest and jungle, where other creatures had begun to stir.
“Now I need caretakers. Creatures that can think for themselves, with understanding and compassion.”
She was warned. So she waited a while to see if any of the creatures would evolve into the right kind of applicants for the job.
She was given an explanation. That it was a job for deities, beings that didn’t live in the garden, wouldn’t use it or be tempted to abuse it.
Nevertheless, she persisted. She tinkered with a few of the new species and watched as the creatures grew into the most intelligent beings in the garden. She gave them the means to cultivate the garden: water and sunshine, tools and other equipment. Everything seemed to be going well.
One day, she noticed that many of the plants and trees had disappeared, soil had eroded, cracks were starting to show. Some of her most beautiful and unusual creations had vanished. She invited the caretakers to a performance review and warned them of job losses. For a while, it seemed they had listened. They built sanctuaries for some of the animals, found ways to conserve parts of the garden, and planted more trees.
However, the garden continued to wilt while the caretakers found other, more selfish things to do, starting wars, killing each other, banning each other from parts of the garden. Her next warning shot was heated and frightened the caretakers, but they continued to ignore her warnings.
Finally, she had to take drastic measures. She decided to remove some of the caretakers in a kind of lottery. She didn’t warn them this time. The dice were loaded.
Kim M. Russell, 25th March 2020
My response to Poets and Storytellers United: Weekly Scribblings #12: Nevertheless, She Persisted
This Wednesday, Magaly has thrown a grenade of a quote at us: “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”
She tells us that these three short lines have ‘become a galvanizing cry for people of all genders in recognition of the struggles that women have faced throughout history’.
Magaly invites us to write new poetry or prose which includes these words, at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end, consecutively or in separate paragraphs or stanzas.
writing in north norfolk 
Curiously as I read this I reflected upon the varied response of different countries to the world’s current coronavirus virus.and the tragedy of so many people in so many countries losing their lives with sadly more to come.
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It’s heartbreaking, Robin.
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Yes, I think many of us are thinking along these lines. Mother Nature does have a way of sorting things out, and will always win. This is beautifully written and very persuasive. (The Rousseau painting is a perfect illustration.)
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Thank you so much, Rosemary.
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And yet the heaviest burden of this will fall to the poor and innocent who had little to do with the garbage we’re wading in.
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So true, Rommy.
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This is gorgeously rendered, Kim! 💝 Mother Nature is more than capable of bouncing back in the end despite the hurdles she has to face. I love the painting that you have chosen to illustrate this amazing write 😀
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Thank you kindly, Sanaa. Stay safe and well. ❤
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You too, stay safe and take care of yourself 💝
xoxo
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The perfect allegory for our present situation. (K)
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Thanks Kerfe.
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OMG your mood is like mine today
Luv your story
much love…
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I imagine quite a lot of us feel like that, Gillena. Much love to you!
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In the part of my psyche where store all my terrible, I want the bit about the dice being loaded to be true. I want that the ones paying for the destruction of the garden to be those who knowingly and greedily profited from all the damage. I know it’s a horrible thought, but… I can’t help the rage I’m feeling right now. Mostly because I believe Rommy is right about our current situation–everyone is paying for it, like in this story… but in the end, in reality, those who less (guilty or not) will be the ones paying the most.
This is a fantastic story, Kim.
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Thanks so much, Magaly. 😊
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This is absolutely brilliant writing, Kim. It skillfully addresses the concerns that face the universe today.
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Thank you kindly, Bev.
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The message in your words is so appropriate …. take care, please take care of our planet OR suffer the consequences. Thank you.
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Thank you, Helen, for reading and commenting. Stay safe and well.
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We’ve pushed Mother Nature too far and now she is letting us reap what we have sewn.
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True…
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Excellent, Kim! I loved the painted you used. “We’ve got to ourselves back to the garden.”
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Thank you, Sara.
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Ever since the Garden of Eden every good thing our human race has found or been given, a way, deliberately or by accident or stupidity to mess things up. Our current leader (???) has been classed as a racist and had hated the progress his predecessor had accomplished. He has proceeded to destroy his work with ICIS-like ferocity.
..
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So true, Jim.
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