“Mum is this what we call an “exvacator?” ten-year-old Ashita wondered out aloud.
“It is an excavator, Ashita”, responded Joanne while gingerly leading her daughter away from the damp mud and dampening surrounding.
“Gee, look at the speed with which it levels the soil” Ashita excitement was contagious.
(Photo Credit: wildverbs)
“You are right my child”, Joanne said losing herself for a minute in the wide expanse of muck, machinery, and men. “Is it just the soil that is being leveled or is it a flattening of our very future?” There was now a tinge of poignancy in her tone.
“Mum?” Ashita looked up at her mother with a mixture of bewilderment and alarm.
“Oh I am sorry my child. Just wanted to make you understand that creation is born out of destruction. But what we create might also destroy us. While cleared lakes may transform into cozy houses, there can be no comfort in thirst.
“So Mum, is Mother Nature the greatest leveler?”
“Absolutely my love” smiled Joanne bending to gently kiss the top of Ashita’ head.
(WORD COUNT: 175)
This story has been written as part of the FLASH FICTION FOR ASPIRING WRITERS – FFfAW Challenge #191, more details about which may be found HERE
For reading similar entries submitted in response to the FFfAW Challenge #191 please click HERE
Thank You wildverbs for the photograph!
8 comments
A strong ‘moral of the story’…
We are giving Mother Nature a hard time.
And yet, people do need homes to live in. Thoughtful story
Thank you so much!
My pleasure
Creation is born out of destruction, that’s a strong message.
“Mother Nature the greatest leveller,” profound word of wisdom from a child.
I feel like builders have the greatest job as they create out of chaos.