A promise carved in the world

In a small village nestled between mountains and the vast wilderness, there was a legend that had been passed down for generations. It spoke of a promise carved into the very fabric of the world itself. The promise, however, was not made by gods or kings but by a humble woman who had been known throughout the land as Lira.

Lira, born with a deep connection to the earth, lived in a modest cottage surrounded by thick woods and meadows. She was not a queen nor a leader of men, but her kindness and wisdom touched everyone she met. The village relied on her for guidance, her hands skilled in both healing and the art of listening. She had the rare ability to hear the whispered secrets of nature, from the wind rustling through the trees to the faint murmur of the river.

One day, when Lira was young, the village was threatened by a devastating drought. The crops withered, the rivers ran dry, and the once-thriving fields turned to dust. The elders, in their desperation, convened in the village square, wondering what could be done to save their home. Amidst their debate, Lira stood up, her eyes filled with resolve.

“I will go,” she said, her voice steady, “to the heart of the world. I will ask the earth to remember us, to restore us.”

Though the journey was dangerous and few had ventured as far as the heart of the earth, Lira's determination could not be swayed. With nothing but a small bag of provisions, she set out on foot, guided by the whispers of nature. The mountains loomed large, and the forests grew thick and dark, but Lira pressed on, knowing she was carrying more than just hope—she was carrying the promise of her people.

As she ventured deeper into the wilderness, she came across an ancient grove, a place known only to a few as the Heart of the World. Here, the trees were older than time itself, their roots intertwined with the very pulse of the earth. Lira knelt beside a mighty oak, placing her palm against its weathered bark. She closed her eyes and listened, her breath slowing as she attuned herself to the rhythm of the land.

The world seemed to hold its breath.

Then, in a voice that echoed through the trees, a presence spoke.

“You seek the earth’s favor, child, but such things are not given lightly.”

“I do,” Lira replied. “The village I come from is suffering. We have nothing left but the hope that the earth will remember us. Please, restore what we have lost.”

The earth’s voice was both ancient and gentle. “You ask for much, but what will you give in return? For every gift, there is a cost.”

Lira thought for a long moment, her heart heavy with the weight of her people's suffering. Then, with unwavering resolve, she spoke.

“I promise that I will never forget the gift you give. I will carve this promise into the world itself, so that all who come after me will remember the bond between earth and humanity.”

The ground beneath her feet trembled as if it was listening, and then, with a finality that echoed across the landscape, the earth made its decision. A great pulse of energy shot through the ground, and in an instant, the barren land of her village began to change. The rivers began to flow once more, the crops began to grow, and life returned to the fields. The earth had fulfilled its promise, but Lira’s was only just beginning.

Before she left the Heart of the World, the ancient voice spoke again. “Go, child. Go and carve your promise into the world, so that it will never be forgotten.”

And so, Lira returned to her village, where she took a stone from the river and began to carve. The promise she inscribed on that stone was simple, but profound:

“May the earth always remember us, and may we always remember the earth.”

This promise, Lira’s promise, was not just carved into the stone. It was carved into the very essence of the world. Over time, people from all walks of life, from far and wide, came to visit that stone, each one leaving their own mark, their own vow to protect the earth.

And so, the world remembers. It remembers the bond between humanity and the earth, a promise carved in the land itself, a promise that will never fade, no matter how much time passes.