Waters of Gondwana

Long ago, before the world awoke from its silent slumber, there lived only two sacred spirits, earth and water. They coexisted happily amidst the dance of the universe around them, and since before the birth of time itself, there was balance. The spirits understood neither strife nor conflict, and in their harmony, grew the fabric of time. But as is the nature of all things, curiosity would inspire both water and earth to wonder about their genesis.

“Where do you think we came from?” asked water.

“I think we simply were,” replied earth.

“Do you ever get lonely?” asked water.

“I have you, don’t I?” replied earth.

They loved with a beautiful love. But curiosity was an ever persistent force, and over time, water grew restless. With every ebb and flow, water pulled away from earth, and ran back to it, desperate to seek the truth of its origin.

“Am I not enough for you?” asked earth with sorrow.

“You are,” replied water. “But I am more than just what you see, and yet I do not know who I am.”

“You are my companion,” replied earth. “Without you, I am alone, when I cry, it is you that comes forth from my soul.”

“I am sorry,” replied water with a somber wave. “I must seek our truth in the universe.”

And so water called out into the empty void of the endless dance of the cosmos. Its voice echoed through both time and space, and awakened from its slumber, the kindled sun. With its fire and warmth, the sun stared off into the distance, illuminating the dark world of the water and earth. With its world awakened, both earth and water blazed under the sun’s warm glow. And as water and earth stared out in wonder, life began to stir from within them.

“I understand now, my purpose,” said water, embracing earth with happiness.

“Your happiness is my own,” replied earth, taking in the life that grew among them, and sharing in the new spirits that were born of their union.

“I cannot exist without you,” stated water.

“And without you, I am empty and alone,” replied earth.

And together they remained through space and time, forever bonded with the purpose of becoming the spirits of life.

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As with all things in life, stories evoke and inspire the curiosity within us. Curiosity is the driving force of all progress and growth. Stories are a currency that is passed down through generations, and never ceases to instill its inherent value in those who listen. Even through the most austere divisions and discord, stories bring together opinions and facts, and lives come together in union because of them. The story of origin is one that precedes all human understanding. From the day we are born to the moment we pass on, our struggle to understand where we belong and where we come from is never-ending.

Even as a child, my curiosity drove me to seek out the truth; but it was my pursuit of the truth that made me realize that truth like anything else is a story. The truth can be different from one person to another, or from one culture to the next. This tale serves to bring together many different elements of one of the oldest truths ever sought out; the tale of the origin of life. One common thread that many cultures share is the idea that the origin of life requires either a scientific explanation, or a spiritual one. Very often people believe science and spirituality to be opposing forces. Although the reality may never be definitively understood, the stories we share bring life to imagination, and bridge the divisions that separate us. From the driving force of curiosity, to the neutral force of balance and harmony, this tale is meant to inspire that spark of imagination that brings stories to life.