“It used to be the tallest in the world…look at it now.”

“Mr. Jack, I do believe you’ve had one too many Rakshi this evening…you’re talking about a pile of rocks, no taller than yourself.” The wind on the dry, cracked plains, stirred up the dust around them, covering the bottom of the stones in a few inches of loose soil. “No, no, I’m quite sure of it. Many have tried to summit her, but not everyone made it. She was the treacherous, unforgiving summit of Mother. Like we used to be.”

“Mr. Jack, please. We have more important matters to discuss than the past. If we don’t do something quick, time will run out for us…like it did for our parents. There won’t be anyone left if we fail.”

“Miss Nastia, you’ve been hired to keep track of what I do. Let me do what I will and you just do your job. I know what I must do. I’m simply waiting for my inspiration.”

“But Mr. Jack…how many times must I tell you. We don’t have enough time to waste by standing around looking at rocks! Our reserves won’t be around forever. Let us return. I can feel a change in the wind… tonight is not a night to be walking above ground.” A strong, dry breeze blew from behind the man and the woman. A small white plume floated over the shoulder of the man and settled itself in his palm. He noticed it and held out his hand. “Nastia look.” He revealed the feathery white object pinched between his thumb and forefinger. “ Is that what I think it is?”

“ Miss Nastia do you remember the stories your grandparents used to tell you about when their parents were children, life used to grow straight from the ground by itself?”

“ Of course, but I know those stories aren’t true. Nothing ever grew from this.” She kicked her foot and dust billowed into the night air, carried away by a weak breeze. “They were only fairy tales, fake stories made up by the old ones.”

“ But they weren’t…and this is proof. This is a seed from one of the most enduring life forms on Earth. Taraxacum officinale… once known as a dandelion.”