Ancient Counsel

Ancient Counsel

One day a centaur, a jellyfish, and a hawk riding an elephant made a pact to save the world. The centaur had called this ancient counsel because she couldn’t let the world step on her anymore. She had had enough!
They met in a mystical clearing in the forest and the ground was covered in dry brown leaves. Hawk addressed the group by flying way up in the sky, way way up, and landing on the tallest tree for miles and miles. Hawk picked the smallest newest bud in her beak and then glided back to the foot of the centaur laying the bud at her feet.
Elephant breathed deeply. Centaur said boldly “I cannot abide these humans ridiculous folly and their disrespect for life and all of nature!” and raised her hoof as if to smash the tiny bud. “If I were to smash this helpless plant, I would be human”.
Elephant took another deep breath as hawk and jellyfish looked on compassionately anxious and worried. “Aren’t you half human?” asked elephant with a sly smile. “Ah yes” said the centaur looking a little down “and that IS the problem! I love this plant. It will save us all. So, we must fight this human blight!” Centaur was very upset. Jellyfish looked on with great interest. Hawk flew up in the sky and screamed “dragon bones and conch shells will heal this upheaval!” Elephant meditated as he connected with the subtle vibrations present.
The trees quietly approved of the struggle that they were witnessing as sunlight illuminated the conspirators.
Centaur stomped her hoof down hard just missing the plant and said, “I’m tired of letting this go! They are killing my life! All life!” Elephant slowly opened his eyes and said, “Yes, and we must stop you from being killed, we love you. And, who will care for this plant?” Hawk landed on Centaur’s shoulder wrapped her wings around her neck and said, “we need you Centaur, you are a bridge. You are the plant protector, and the only one of us that the humans will listen to.”
Tears came to Centaur’s eyes and she straightened her back as it had been before the slump. Determined grace had returned to her face as she said, “I remember now…”
The counsel members embraced and slowly turned to leave except for Centaur who leaned down and gently picked up the plant that would save the world. With her hoof, she cleared some soil and placed the plant in the ground and began to cry. She was careful to let the tears water the plant so it could continue to grow and grow and grow.