Crossroads

Meredith concluded the Dream Telling by laying down her pipe. The Soul Child climbed into her lap and sat quietly by the fire.

"It is a powerful wish," said the Old One, gesturing expansively, "one that you must surely fulfill. The entire human race lies at a crossroads. Today you must make a critical decision that will decide your future forever. If you do nothing, human life on earth could end.  Perhaps a few surviving humans will travel up the sipapu from the Fourth World to the Fifth World, but most will perish. Your people will not survive to make that journey.

"Act now, for we Kokopelli must return soon to our own world. We do not know when we can return again to help you. By then it may be too late."

Animated Model

"I will show you something," said the Old Kokopelli.  "Hold out your hands."

A remarkable animated model of the earth appeared in Meredith's outstretched palms. The Atlantic and Pacific oceans showed as azure waves in motion, the grasses of Kansas and the steppes of Russia were green seas of rippling vegetation. Zebras grazed in the African plains, while lions preyed and jackals scavenged. Eagles flew in America and orchids grew in Ecuador. Jungles grew once more in Asia, and the rainforests of Brazil were restored.

"Is this what you wished for?" he said.

"It's just like our dream wish," the Soul Child answered for Meredith.

Solution

"There is a solution, should you decide to use it.

"The sacred herb that you carry with you has the power to increase a person's awareness of the environment dramatically and permanently. A minute particle is enough to strengthen a person's EarthWisdom enough to see the world around them through eyes of wonder, just as you have gazed into this marvelous globe.

"Your pouch contains a sufficient quantity to treat all of earth's people." He indicated the medicine pouch Meredith carried. The seated smokers nodded their heads in unison.

Human Habitats

Human habitats clustered together in small cities all over the globe. The North American skies harbored clear smog-free weather, and a few white cumulus clouds drifted across the blue expanse. Welcome showers dropped ample rainfall over the former Saharan desert. The world was alive.  Plenty of grain was growing, enough to feed all the world's people.  
The north and south polar caps were frozen solid, back to their pre-millennium sizes. To her ecologist's eye this meant that the ozone layer must be intact again and the greenhouse gases had dissipated.

Intertwined

"The future life of humankind lies in your hands, Meredith White Buffalo Calf Woman.  The wonderful world you see before you will crumple up into dust and die without ever coming into fruition unless you act now," he said. Meredith felt rapturously in love with the blue oceans, the green forests, the brown mountains, the white deserts.  

The Soul Child reached out to touch the globe. "It's so beautiful," she said. "Please, may I hold it?" Meredith, admonishing care, allowed her to hold the globe.

Silent Prayer

"Let us pray. Have you fasted?"

"I last ate in the Third World," said Meredith, "but I've fasted since then. I feel hungry."

"Good. Then you are purified." He looked around at the others. "We will now join in silent prayer. Consider what you are about to do, and what the consequences might be. Ask for guidance to do the right thing."

They sat silently in the circle within the kiva formed from clouds. The Great Spirit walked among them and moved them and filled them with awe. As they emptied their minds, the Spirit entered and strengthened them with vast cosmic power so that they could support each other in their endeavors and still survive their own.  

Meredith sat and prayed.