Mother Gaia

It was my first night at Freya’s home. They prepared a nice place for me, it’s very kind of them, but...

I feel anxious. Probably because of being in new place. I have a hard time to fall asleep. I’m really tired... I just want to... go to sleep...

…

“Mother...”

Huh? That’s definitely not to me...

„Mother, help...”

Ughh... I don’t even have children... But it makes me question myself...

„Mother...”

Ok! Ok! Fine! I’m waking up!

Uh? I opened eyes, but... I’m outside? It looks like I’m on fields.

„Mother...”

Where is this voice coming from? I’m the only one here.

...

I heard it again. I had a weird feeling that it was coming directly from fields. How can fields even talk? What’s more, calling me a mother. I’m very, very confused right now.

„We don’t want to die... Help us, Mother...”

B-but how? I don’t know what should I do.

“Mother, please...”

“Mother...”

At sudden, several voices kept calling me that. It was extremely disturbing and causing me headache. I wanted to wake up. I kept trying and trying. Somehow, they disappeared.

I opened my eyes and noticed that I was in bed, at Freya’s place. It was already bright outside.

The thing that I have seen... Was it a dream? But, is dream supposed to be so real? I felt like it was really happening to me. I could hear those voices, where they were coming from, even that headache felt like real!

Uh... And now I have an urge to go to fields. But...

...Mother, help...

What should I do? I have absolutely no idea what to do. The only thing that comes to my mind is just to go there. Hmm... Guess I have no other choice.

Ladies were already preparing breakfast. I could hear the sound from kitchen. I joined them soon after.

The situation from my dream was still in my head. I couldn’t get rid of it. Everything about it was ridiculous. How could I be a mother anyway? I don’t remember anything like that has happened. Besides... how could I even gave birth to... fields? How is that physically possible? And... I don’t even know the father! This is so bad! It needs to be a mistake!

“Gaia? Are you okay?” Lorraine asked. “Something’s on your mind?”

“Probably Mr Ouranos.” Freya suggested.

“Huh?”

Why would I think about him anyway?

“Ah, I see.” Lorraine answered.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Ah, nothing, nothing~.” Freya answered.

Of course, she was mocking me. Out of nowhere, I recalled something that may, or may not, be helpful.

“Freya, do you remember the thing that you have mentioned while I introduced myself?”

“Uh...” she tried to recall it. “You mean, about Mother Gaia? Or... ?”

“Yes, yes!”

“Ah, right, you share the name.” Lorraine added.

“But...” she was faltering.

“It’s actually important to me! Please! Please!”

She was hesitating, but eventually I melted her. I do remember that she didn’t want to say anything while Ouranos himself didn’t want to.

“Eh... Fine... You want everything or?”

“If possible.”

“So, if you think about anything related to nature, you think of Mother Gaia. She’s beautiful and elegant, but also very kindhearted. She admires nature and life. The ancestors have told that she created what you can see – trees, forests, animals. She did all of that because of her love to the beauty of nature. That’s why, if someone disrespect the nature, she punishes that person. People says that our crop failure is because someone from village made Mother angry, but I think that they angered other god. I don’t think Mother would harm her own children.”

„But why she is called Mother?” that was the part that bothered me.

„Eh? Isn’t it obvious?”

Well, for me it wasn’t.

„Think, Gaia. Every mother cares about their children, no matter what or who they are. We'll protect them from any harm, because that’s what mothers do. For me, my daughter is my precious treasure and I won’t allow anyone to do something mean to her. That’s why, even knowing Mother Gaia is a deity, she’s like any other mother wanting the best for their children. Even if they’re plants.” Lorraine answered; the maternal love was beating from her, the way she was talking surprised even her own daughter.

„Mom...”

„Only a mother will understand another! Besides, it’s completely normal to think this way.”

Freya's mom’s explanation wasn’t what I have expected, but more or less it answered my question. I still thought that Ouranos would do it better. I had to catch him and maybe mention somehow that weird dream. I already can imagine his reaction of „Is your mind alright?”.

“Oh, Gaia!” she turned to me after finishing her meal and stormed to the room.

„Freya! What are you doing!” Lorraine scolded her.

Shortly after she came back. With a dress.

„Ta-da! Told you it will be done today!”

Is it... the one made for me? It looks way better than my current one. I already got excited seeing the tied part on the front. I couldn’t help it to change it already.

It fits perfectly. It doesn’t make me flat, which is the important part. I don’t want to be mistake for child anymore. I’m a legit adult!

Anyway, I was surprised how of good-quality it was. Material seemed similar in thickness as one in Freya's dress. In general it looked like an improved version of it, but more... personalised? It was slightly shorter, to lower half-calf length, but I was fine with that. Same with short sleeves and a bit lower neckline, but it revealed only small amount of my skin. It shouldn’t be a big deal. And it had a pretty cream colour.

I thanked Freya properly and went straight away to look for Ouranos.

Later on I caught him and asked about Mother Gaia. He gave his usual resigned expression.

„I understand that she could not refrain herself from telling you?”

„I pressed her a bit.” I admitted bluntly.

„That is to be expected.”

„Hey!”

He could leave his rude comments to himself!

„Going back to the topic, what made this sudden interest in them?”

At this point I wasn’t sure if it will be good to actually mention the dream or go around. No matter how one could look at it, the dream itself was bizarre. I believed saying the truth would help more in solving that issue.

„Hmm...” he put himself in thought after explanation. „Have you not eat something suspicious before sleeping?”

„Stop mocking me! I haven’t!”

He kept straight face, but I know he enjoyed himself inside. I’m more than sure he’s doing it all on purpose.

„In that case, your sudden interest may be related to that.”

„How?”

„Mother Gaia's cult is known across the lands. I do not think that no one has heard about them, although they are known by different name in different parts, but names are always related to nature. Mother Gaia, Mother Nature, Terra – from earth, also, but much rarely, Matrem Omnium, since nature is also linked to life.

Word mother can also be interpreted as creator. In their situation, it gives more sense to character and their relation to their creation. Some creators abandon theirs, forgetting, never care of them. Mother Gaia poured a huge amount of love and care into what they have done, thus, it is only normal to react when something bad is happening to what they care about.

Despite being a deity, they are very close to humans in terms of empathy. It is uncommon since gods usually care only about themselves, but, it seems that there needs to be an exception to the principle.”

„I remember Freya mentioned other god...”

„They worship many gods. Depending on what blessing do they need, they turn to particular god. To gain their favor, people need to make a sacrifice first.”

Sacrifice? I hope he doesn’t mean what I’m thinking of...

„In what form sacrifice needs to be depends on god's tastes, but I can reassure you that none has a liking in human sacrifices.”

Whew.

„What people are offering to Mother Gaia then?”

„... Respecting their creation is enough for them.”

„Is it?” I was kind of impressed by her humbleness.

„They have never been known to be greedy.”

„Hmm... Have you met her in person?”

„Why would I?”

„Umm...”

It was logical to me that all of the gods had to exist, since people are talking about them, making offerings and have their knowledge from somewhere.

„Gods were created to explain things that are happening in the world. It is much easier for common people to think that certain event has happened because it was a God's will. Same with everything else. They do believe that current situation is caused by a god, someone made them angry and now they are showing their wrath. The truth is different. I am not certain of it, but I do believe they did not give a soil enough time to rest and it slowly began to lose its properties, which leaded to infertility.”

„So... they are not true? They made them up?”

„They did. It may sounds odd, but it is easier for them to believe that behind everything is something greater than knowing about evolution or certain natural occurrences, including rainbow.

It is more comfortable to think that someone greater is responsible for creating what you can see around than knowing that it took hundreds, if not thousands, of years for them to reach point in which they are now.

Also, even if they embroider facts, there is a grain of truth in it.”

„Grain of truth?”

„That means that there is some truth of it.”

As we were going, again I felt the fields calling me. It was nagging me. I had in mind to just go there and then think what to do.

„Gaia? Something has happened?” he asked concerned.

Then I realized I was standing in the place, probably since the moment I felt the calling.

„Can we go to the fields?” I asked unsure.

„Of course.” he responded without further questions.

The closer we were getting, the more uneasy I started to feel. As I was standing in front of them, this feeling was the only thing in my mind. I couldn’t find the right words to describe it. It definitely was painful to feel their despair, begging for help. It was making me upset at heart.

„Gaia? Are you alright?”

It pulled me up from thoughtfulness.

„I guess...” I responded still overwhelmed by what I’ve felt.

„They really do affect you...” he admitted to himself and then asked. „What is in your mind right now?”

I tried to sort out what was going in my head, but it wasn’t that easy, so I just said what felt right.

„Sorrow. They’re in pain, constantly begging for help. I still don’t know what I can do. Uh...”

I did actually have something in mind, but it sounded so stupid and ridiculous that I didn’t want to even try it.

But... That was the only thing I had. Also, they were suggesting that, by putting it into my mind.

I decided to risk my dignity. If it will help, then I’ll be happy. If not, then I’ll embarrass myself.

I took off the shoes, picked up a bit my dress and stepped on soil. I already could feel better at mind. The weight of those hard to bear feelings was getting lighter. I took one more step and I could feel this relieving feeling again. Also, I noticed that ground beneath my feet changed a bit. Or maybe it was my imagination? I double checked it and it was more soft for me.

I turned to Ouranos, I thought he may noticed it as well. He came up closer, bends down and touched the soil on which I stepped. He was visibly shocked as he was checking it. So it wasn’t my imagination. It did really happened.

„Oh, Mr Ouranos, young lady, good morning.” older woman said to us, I didn’t know when she even appeared. She wasn’t maybe that old as some grandmas, but definitely older than Freya's mom.

Ouranos turned to her and replied. „Good morning Miss Karen. What a coincidence that you are here, I actually may need your eye on something.”

„Oho?” she raised her eyebrow. „What is it?”

„Please take a look on it.” he pointed at the soil.

She came closer and bends down. „So, what’s with it?”

„Can you touch this one first and then the one a bit further?”

She did what Ouranos has asked. She was shocked herself by touching the soil. I was wondering what he had in mind, because I was sure that he was not showing her that without a reason.

„It’s so soft!” she touched the soil from other part and she gasped. She was speechless for few good seconds. „How it can be? This part is good and that one...”

„It is thanks to this lady.” he looked at me; I think I got an idea of his plan.

Woman glanced at me and then at the ground where I was standing. She touched it and, again, she was very shocked.

„A miracle! It’s a miracle!” she quickly stood up. „The Gods are merciful! I need to tell it to the Chief!” she stormed out while babbling about miracle.

Ouranos seemed to be satisfied with the outcome. I didn’t know what to think about it.

„Umm...”

„That is actually a good opportunity for you to prove your harmlessness. Miss Karen is a known gossiper, in a short time almost whole village will show up to see the miracle.”

„Is it necessary?”

„I believe that actions say much more than words, especially in this situation. It will be undeniable for them what has happened, that is why I want to ask you to not move until the people will gather here, so they can see it themselves.”

„So, it really works?”

„I think that you noticed that yourself. It's quality is incomparable to what is around. I am sure it is fertile and can be sown again.”

I feel relieved that it actually works. I thought it's impossible at first, but, it works. I’m happy that I can actually help them. Being in constant hunger can really affect your mind. You can’t think straight. You only think about this pain and how to get rid of it. Whenever I have this in mind, it scares me. I don’t want to remember this agony. And I don’t want them to experience the same thing. I do not wish anyone to go through it.

Meanwhile, the onlookers gathered up. It already looked awkward that they came to see me walking on soil... Ehh, I hope Ouranos knew what he was doing.

Chief was standing in the first line, visibly unhappy from being here.

„So, what is this fuss all about?” he asked grumpily.

„Well, Miss Karen already saw that herself, but, she” Ouranos pointed at me. „is a hope for this village to be able to function as it used to be.”

People around was whispering to each other, but couldn’t hear about what exactly.

„She? How?”

„Gaia, can you stand in this place, please?” Ouranos asked me and pointed at place where I have to stood yet; right after that even more people were talking to each other.

„Sure.” I replied and moved.

With each step I could sense this relieving feeling. I couldn’t help myself but smile as I couldn’t react differently than just smile. The soil was beginning to soften under my feet. Chief noticed that something has changed and came up closer to check it. I glimpsed a surprise on his face, even if it was for a second and he quickly came back to his always not satisfied face.

„Hmm...” he mumbled and stood straight like a tree without moving.

Some more brave ones came to check what has happened and after the sudden shock, the curiosity encouraged others to do the same. I was still not sure what to think.

Should I be more happy or worried? They were constantly saying that this is a miracle what just happened. I don’t know how to react to that...

„You do not have to stand here.” Ouranos came closer to me and said that half-whispering. „You know what you need to do. Do not mind them.”

It encouraged me a bit.

You know what you need to do. I do know. It’s just... uncomfortable when people are looking at your every move. It’s discouraging. Even if I know nothing will go wrong, something on back of my mind keep throwing at me those negative thoughts that are too ridiculous to believe in. Still, their presence is discouraging.

But, with every step forward, those thoughts are overwhelmed by much greater feeling. So, I don’t have to care anymore about them.

After every storm comes a rainbow, which means that after bad things the good ones will come. I’m here only few days, but I feel like I’m here much longer. I’ve met wonderful people to whom I gracious for their kindness and understanding. They did already a lot for me. It is time now for me to do something for them.

Each step forward destroys sorrow that soaked into them. Replacing insecurity with hope. At this point I completely forgot about how I felt when we came here. With each step the fields burst with joy. I still think how unrealistic it is, but their joy makes me happy myself. This happiness is already bursting from me as well. I can’t stop smiling. How can I not smile when everyone is so happy around? How can I not be happy by making something happy?

I wasn’t just walking anymore. I made a step to the right, then to the left. I didn’t even notice when I started to spin around. It was much more fun like that.

Meanwhile I could see others staring at me. They might think of me being a weirdo walking on the soil without shoes, smiling from ear to ear and spinning around from time to time.

They can think like that as their thoughts doesn’t reach me here.

„Thank you, Mother!”

„Thank you so much!”

The voices turned to me. I was so glad that it did help them. Instead of begging for help, they were thanking me for it.

It’s wonderful to be able to feel like that. I want to be happy. All the time. My heart feels so warm and happy, when I’m happy myself. I want to stay like that.

I had to stop with spinning as my head starts to spin itself. I decided to make a short break to regain my balance and some strength for further going. I had a look on a group still gathered in same place. Everyone was either talking, praying or touching the soil.

Even for me it’s still strange how it is possible, but, it is, without a doubt. If it will solve their problems, then that’s all I care about.

I noticed that Ouranos was looking in my direction.

Guess he will think much worse about me now.

Overall, I believe he knew what he was doing. He’s much smarter than me and he knows how to approach these people. I feel a bit bad of doubting his intentions.

The only thing I could do was to give him the biggest, most cheerful smile I could ever produce. Even with quite the distance between us, I could see that he smiled back, maybe not as enthusiastic as me, but still, he did put some effort into it.

... He should smile more often.