PROVIDENCE

"What's wrong mother? Why are you weeping?"

She replies, "I'm weeping for you, my child."

"I'm fine, mother. In fact, I am better than I have ever been. Weep not for me, mother. Give your heart solace. When I command the earth to provide to me it provides. The earth is rendering to me all of my desires: the rivers fill my tanks and pipes with fresh water; the sun amicably bathe my fields with its golden rays; elegantly do the beasts embellish my dinner table; my towers titillate the feet of the Gods, and my space probes kisses their lips. So, you see mother, there is nothing to worry yourself about."

"I fear for you because destruction and calamity are upon you. You are destroying the soil, the air, the rivers and oceans, and you are devouring the beasts of the land and sea. The sun is becoming impatient with you; and the earth grows tired of your incongruous behavior.

Remember what I have taught you, my child: take what you need and nothing more; the world is fragile, so be gentile with it; and that the world demands reciprocity. You have forgotten the lessons I taught you as a child, and soon you will pay a heavy price. What you see as progress, my child, is merely the means to which you have brought destruction upon yourself. There may be time left to appease the Gods; but hurry, for time waits for no one."