Endless Asphalt

Finally free from the worst of the crowd, they headed swiftly away from the city through a little-used tunnel. Emerging on the outskirts, they came to an endless sea of pavement where every inch of the ground was covered with asphalt. It was unbearably hot, and the sticky tar clung to their feet. A hot wind blew across their faces. The sun was hidden by thick gray poisonous clouds.

"The gray people have created a fearful wasteland," cried the shaman. "This is not the way of Mother Earth."

Height of Folly

After trudging for miles along the hot sticky road that stretched in all directions yet seemed to go nowhere, Meredith was exhausted. She was parched with an unbearable thirst. The shaman had somewhat recovered and was looking about him at the poor wounded earth.   

"There lies the curse of modern man," he said, pointing to a broken and rusted automobile half embedded in the tar, or, passing a cracked and abandoned swimming pool filled with rotting debris, "This is indeed the height of folly." 

Sunlit Woods

At last they approached the little patch of green land which they had seen from afar. As they drew near, they saw a grove of quaking aspens white as marble columns, shining in the sun.

"Ah, trees at last," said Meredith. "They will give us refuge from the unbearable heat and pollution of the city. You can already feel the air becoming fresher."

Friendly Trees

A path led into the trees. On either side green leaves stirred softly as Meredith and the shaman walked. Small sunbeams shone through the dark clouds overhead, illuminating the path. It was pleasantly cool and comforting to walk in their shade.

"I like this place," said Meredith. "It seems to be welcoming us."

"It is more like the land of my people than that place of death out there," said the shaman.

A Bubbling Spring

The path led them to a clearing. In a wide rolling meadow, young green grass rustled in the cool breeze. Meredith felt her heart rise.

"It is so beautiful," she breathed, turning to find the shaman deep in reverie. They stood together silently for a few moments, looking over the broad meadow, then waded into the knee-high grass. Presently they heard the sweet sound of water trickling over stones. 

"Come this way," Meredith said, leading them to a lively spring which bubbled up from the ground, filling a small pond with clear blue water. Meredith leaned over and drank from cupped hands. "It's so fresh," she said as she slaked her thirst. "I feel better already."

"It is good water," agreed the old shaman, drinking.

Sweet Rest

They rested for a while beside the spring. It was the most beautiful day Meredith had ever known. She felt deeply at peace now, lying in the sun with a cool breeze on her cheeks. There was a lazy hum of bees, and crickets and birds were chirping in the grass.  Deer and bear had left their tracks along the banks of the spring.

Meredith closed her eyes and remembered the words of her friend, Gray Dawn, "You are the Anasazi Maiden now. You are White Buffalo Calf Woman."

Mother Earth

Meredith, cradled by the sweet scented grass, breathed deeply and drifted into a state between sleep and wakefulness. Once or twice she heard a voice calling her.  

Startled, she sat up, but saw nothing. As she sank back into the grass, again she heard the voice calling, "Meredith, Meri." It seemed to be the voice of her long lost mother. Bewildered she called out, "Mother, Mother, where are you?"

"I am here," came her mother's voice. Across the spring on a flat stone projecting into the water, was a beautiful woman dressed in white, with flowers, fruit and grain adorning her head and arms. Her long red hair hung down in waves over her shoulders, and she wore pine boughs at her neck and wrists and carried a large straw basket filled with blue corn flowers.  

Meredith recognized in her the image of Mother Earth she had seen in the sandpainting when she had sat in the Cave of the Third World.

Reunion

"Mother, is it really you?" cried Meredith, running along the bank of the spring toward the vision on the other side. She reached the woman and threw her arms about her, weeping. It was her mother in the flesh who held her daughter and wept with her in tears of joy.

"But how can you be here and be alive?" said Meredith in raptures. "And in such strange robes. Many wondrous things have happened to me on my journey, but this is the most miraculous of all."  

"As you see, in this world I have become Mother Earth. You have seen me in the images of the sandpaintings in the world of the Ancient Ones, the World of Fire. This is my task," said her mother.

"And what of you? What is this white robe that you are wearing, and the sacred band on your head? Ah, now I understand. You are fulfilling the task that is your destiny. You have become the Anasazi maiden."  

"Yes," said Meredith, "I have journeyed to the cave of the Ancient Ones of the Third World, and now I am one of them. I carry with me their strong medicine which can help to heal the world."

The Photo

"What about Father? Is he alive?" asked Meredith.

"Yes, he is living in the Fifth World, but he visits me every day," Mother Earth replied.

"Will I see him?"

"He should be here soon. He will be overjoyed to see you. And what of you, daughter, how is your life at home?"

"I was married and divorced, Mother. I am happy with my work."

"I'm glad, Meredith. Be careful on your journey."

"I will, Mother."