Drowning

The Drowning!

 How had it come to this? 

What on Earth had he done, the day he made the wish, that had doomed the world? 

An act of kindness and altruism, which had bought about this destitute and dying world. 

As he sat on the beach outside, he’s pilot cottage on the Moray Firth, whilst looking at the beauty of his home city of Inverness, a tear fell down his face and his life began to flicker through his mind. His breathing became laboured, and exhaustion began to set in as he remembered the error he'd made.

He had loved he’s world but hated the devastation caused by war, religion, famine, and politics. He had seen them as constant threats, battering the world into submission and bringing about a disastrous future, that would bring annihilation to every living thing on the planet. 

He’d travelled the world, hoping to find a solution, and realised he was better off at home, living a life filled with love, rather than hoping for something that would never change. 

Perhaps that is what had drawn the beautiful bird to his side. An eagle of some description, yet mightier in its appearance and song. 
Immense in power and oozing an aura of comfort and calm; it stared at Aled and seemed to read his mind. 

“I know,” Aled said quietly, “I wish that this world had no conflict. That all people could live happy lives in coexistence and peace; never having to experience a world of hardship.” 

The eagle looked at him and cawed, as if weeping at what he had said. It then transformed into a strange but beautiful being of light. 

“Your wish is granted – I’m sorry for what will follow,” it uttered in defeat before fading from sight. 

                                                                   ******

The world was different the people were kind... caring and helpful, but in time, it became overpopulated, and the effects of global warming swelled with the increased population. Rivers ran with litter and the air became extremely poisonous and deadly. Acid rain began to fall from the sky and food began to grow scarce. 

 

Nature tried to fight back, but the world would not heed its call and no matter how many fires, floods, earthquakes, or eruptions occurred the population grew until it reached saturation and the world broke. The land was swallowed by the sea and the whole world began to dim and suffer for humanities sins.

 

With nothing to quell the population, its surface became worn and weighted and now it was close to total submission to the sea. Poseidon would be in heavenly bliss I’m sure, at seeing the downfall of a race who had destroyed his beautiful world, as would Demeter.

 

Bodies littered the oceans, unable to sink below the rubbish, which had been dumped into its depths. Its pungent smell permeated the air and burned at the survivor’s throats. 

 

Seas had risen due to the sheer volume of people and began to claim back the land that had kept it apart for so long. He looked at the world he had wished for and began to weep profusely; each breath becoming more difficult and laboured. His heart began to slow, and dizziness knocked him to the floor. This was it!

 

His wish had done this and as the last breath left him, he wished he had never made that boon. 

                                              *******

That’s when the alarm sounded, and he woke from the terrible nightmare. The sun shone on the Moray Firth, Aled thanked God for the world he lived in. 

 

Chaotic, dangerous, deadly and the most beautiful thing in existence. He knew it was better to have conflict and strive for peace, than take the easy route of wishing free will away.