United States of America

Lombard

I am the earth... a long time ago trees grew, animals roamed free, and man cherished all I had to offer. Humanity, animals, and the Gods lived in harmony. Humanity worshipped the Gods. The Gods, delighted with man for worshipping them, gave man three mighty elements: air, fire, and water. This was a time without sun or soil.

Le masque des Etats-Unis d'Amérique.

Man learned to use all elements: air to breathe and cool themselves off, fire for warmth and cooking, and water for drinking and bathing. Man and I co-existed.

Then, man was given the greatest elements of all: Sun and Soil. Sun provided light so man could see through the darkness. Soil was used to plant corn, wheat, barley, tomatoes, and fruits. Ceremonies were held to thank the Gods for providing sun, soil, air, water, weather, and fire.

My life was good! My life began to change.
Man started using more than they needed of the elements. Man created machines that polluted my air. Ponds, rivers, and the lake were used as a natural garbage dump. Fish suffered and died. Wildlife and forests were destroyed to build unnecessary homes and industries. Animals, such as deer, raccoons, end eagles suffered and died. Crops were wasted. I felt neglected, sad, and alone. I had a plan.

My spirit came to earth in the form of an eagle and spoke to man: "Look what you have done to me. You have destroyed me. As punishment I will manipulate the elements of nature. I will send evil winds and rain in the form of tornadoes, hail, and lightening. Fires will burn your homes, forests, prairies, and crops." I cried acid tears of rain which destroyed industries and corps. The rain polluted the lake, rivers, and ponds. Northern and Eastern winds were sent which caused destruction, pain, and havoc. Tornadoes became violent storms. Lightning set the forests afire. Drought, famine, and disease caused many plants, animals and humans to perish.

Eventually, I returned as my spirit, the eagle, and asked: "Now do you understand what happens when you do not worship the earth?"

 "What shall we do?" man asked. "Give us the answers!" The eagle God softly replied, "Cherish the earth! Worship the earth! Be kind to the earth!"

After the eagle spoke to man, they started treating me with respect. The lake, rivers and ponds were cleaned. Land was reclaimed and rebuilt to provide the animals places to roam free. Man stopped polluting my air by using the suns rays for solar heat. Man used crops, such as corn, to power machines.
I cried of joy! My tears brought life back to land. Southern and western winds brought gentle breezes. Lush forests grew plentiful and helped filter the polluted air. Rich soil produced corn, wheat, barley, tomatoes, and fruits. My tears created clean streams, ponds, and rivers where fish flourished. Celebrations with sun, soil, air, water, weather, and fire, were once again held in honor of my rebirth.

I am earth... and I will survive.