TEARDROPS IN THE RAINFOREST

The canopy is dense the air is damp and humid. Birds call, insects crawl amidst the perfectly tuned silence. The trees the vines the moss the leaves all entwined into an intricate web of pure natural beauty. The smell in the air clean, crisp earthy as if just created. The colours and the shapes of the flowers all so unique as if made from an artist’s brush. The tree lines run to the shore, the rainforest meets the sea as the golden sand acts as a division between the two gifts of nature.

As the sun begins to gently filter through the canopy, flickers of colour sparkle from the leaves. Breaking through the natural sounds of the forest soft sweet voices emerge. One by one as the day dawns the teardrop people appear to bless the morning.

Now the teardrop people haven’t always been a part of the rainforest. For many years it thrived untouched, pristine in all its glory. But as time passed and as man’s needs grew, it’s boundaries were broken and logs were pulled from its core. Its delicate balance tipped on its end a desperate plea was sent to Gaia for help.

Gaia is Mother Nature in case you didn’t know. She gave life and beauty to all that grows. So she summoned her powers for all she was worth and produced the teardrops to shower the earth.

The first was Mizuko his name means water child, he would be the wisest and oldest of the teardrop people. He would be helped by his wife Maya, her name means water.

Gaia summoned Mizuko and Maya before her and wept as she explained, “ Mizuko, Maya, you must travel to the Daintree Rainforest, you must lead the teardrop people in the quest to save the endangered species.” “ I have created your bodies from life giving water and energy that can replenish all that lacks in this great place. “ With pride and determination Mizuko and Maya understood their mission and embarked on their challenge in the rainforest.

As Mizuko and Maya dripped into the rainforest they landed on the leaves of a giant Bull Kauri tree, one of the largest trees in the emergent layer. Mizuko looked around in awe at the vastness and grandeur. As he did a soft breeze blew across them and whispered “Go lower my friends you are needed there “

With no time to waste Mizuko and Maya jumped down landing upon the branch of a rubber tree. Just as they settled on the branch they were startled by a big brown furry animal with a big brown furry tail. Mizuko and Maya froze on the spot hoping the creature would not notice them. As he edged closer his whiskers tickling their toes he blurted out “ Hi there I’m Kao, I’m a tree kangaroo” “ Welcome to the canopy level “ he said. Mizuko and Maya didn’t move. Maya took a deep breath and asked “Um excuse me but do tree kangaroos eat teardrop people? “ “No, No, No, “laughed Kao “ You’re safe with me, but you help is not needed on this level you see. “ “ Travel on my friends to the level below, the understory they call it, careful as you go !”

So they slid to the next level and landed on the leaves of a soft delicate fern. As the fern’s leaves embraced them like a familiar hug a croaky voice boomed out “Welcome to the understory, my name is Hopper. “ “I’m a green tree frog, How do you do? “

“Well hello Hopper” Mizuko and Maya replied. “We have been sent by Gaia to save the endangered species of the forest. “Glad you’re here, Glad you’re here” he croaked “But if you are going to help you will need to go to the next level, that’s where it all happens you know.“ With that hopper jumped to the next plant waiving his padded webbed feet as he went.

Mizuko could see the worried look on Mayas’ face as she looked down to the next level.

“Oh Mizuko I’m scared, it’s dark and dense and damp down there!” Mizuko slid next to her gently and in a comforting voice he said “Don’t worry Maya, I’m here with you” “We will call Gaia and ask her what to do “. So they closed their eyes and thought about all the natural beauty in the world, and in an instant Gaia appeared before them.

“My teardrops your mission is nearly complete, you must have faith and travel to the final level to the forest floor. For there you will discover the magic of all that I have made and all that you will be “As they focused on her words Gaia slowly faded into the distance.

Mizuko and Maya held each other’s hands tightly as they faced their fear and dripped into the forest floor. Their fall was cushioned by the brilliant green moss upon a bed of leaves and as they cautiously opened their eyes they were amazed at what they saw. Before them stood two tear drop people. For a moment Mizuko and Maya just stared. They didn’t understand, how could this be. Just then a soft warm glow appeared, Gaia had returned to reveal to them her magic.

She spoke quietly and calmly “ Mizuko, Maya, you have now seen the magic appear before you. “ “You are not on this mission alone “ she continued “ For every time you drip to the forest floor from the levels above you will spawn two more teardrops to replenish and heal the forest, and as this happens the forest floor will scoop you up and take you back to the emergent layer, where the cycle will begin again.” “ You and your people will have many adventures with the animals and the plants of the forest and you will become one “

With that Gaia put her hands together to bless them and proclaimed ‘And so it is, and so it shall be “

So as each day dawns in the Daintree Rainforest the teardrop people emerge to bless the morning.