Mother Nature Takes a Break
CHAPTER TWO
The one and only applicant for the position of“ Mother Nature’ s Relief“, was a tall, thin man of indeterminable age. He introduced himself as Cyan. He looked to be young; there were no lines on his smooth skin, at least not on the visible part of his face; a thick beard and moustache, neatly trimmed, hidding most of his face. His deep blue eyes( hence his name Cyan) were as dark as the ocean; long, curly, brown hair neatly tied in a ponytail. His voice was tender, like soft thunder rolling over the clouds. Clothed in a long, sky blue shirt, which had seen better days, and faded denim jeans, he was the epitome of a younger generation, one that Mother Nature didn ' t understand. All things taken into consideration she thought she would like the young man as soon as she looked into his eyes.
They sat at the teak coffee table in front of a marble fire place and over strong coffee she asked Cyan to tell her his story.
“ I am from Naturalis, Mother,” he said with, what seemed to Mother Nature, a slight lack of respect.
“ My own mother is from Earth,” He pulled a face that told of his troubles as a half cast living in the realms of Naturalis.
“ I have had several jobs. I spent most of my time in the garden department. I did a stint in weather but didn ' t get on very well with Clime, the weatherman.”
Mother Nature interrupted him,“ What was the problem? Clime is a good weatherman! I have never had a difficulty with him.”
The young man cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable.
“ Forgive me Mother but he is losing the plot. I believe that he is the cause of so much unhappiness, weatherwise, on Earth.“
Cyan leaned forward placing his hands on his knees. His expression one of sadness.
“ Humans need rain and sunshine but not too much of each. It’ s how they produce most of their food. Most human pleasures revolve around the weather. Swimming, skiing, fishing, boating, you name it, the humans enjoy it. Humans are happy as long as the weather is near perfect.”
“ I don’ t need a lecture on Human pleasures Cyan. What was your problem with Clime?”
“ He is arrogant and lazy. He has lost control of his department. Clime, Nino and Nina have been arguing for years over who controls the weather. When I offered him advice he sacked me. He told me I was an upstart who knew nothing about the conditions he worked under.”
“ What was your position in weather?” Mother Nature asked.
Cyan coughed, looked slightly uncomfortable and replied,“ I was the office assistant. That‘ s how I know what’ s wrong. I helped chart storms and other weather conditions. I had a better view than anyone else. I saw the problem with El Nino long before anyone else did. Clime took offence when I pointed out that trouble was brewing in the southern hemisphere.“
He took a sip from his coffee, rested back in his comfortable seat and placed his cup back on the table. Mother Nature lifted the cup and placed it on a coaster. Cyan noticed and felt suitably chastened.
“ Your position vacant said you needed someone with good communication skills. I have them. With the authority this position offers, I know I could get all the weather parties to sit down and discuss this crisis. Finding the cause of the conflict between the weather elements would help with a solution to the inconsistent weather affecting Earth,” he said with confidence.
Mother Nature was impressed by the passion of the young man’ s speech but doubtful that anyone could solve the weather problems that had been plaguing Earth, and therefore Mother Nature herself, for the past century. The drought in the southern hemisphere was not the first, and Mother Nature doubted it would be the last. A catastrophic drought, having occurred in the 1930’ s, had brought the world to its knees and heralded a Great Depression.
The three warring parties were too stubborn to compromise. She also doubted that Cyan was old enough or experienced enough to be able to accomplish much. She didn’ t really expect him to. All she needed was someone to watch over Naturalis while she was away. A figurehead was what she was after. Make it look as if someone was in charge. Her ideal replacement would simply be a babysitter who would coast along until her return.
“ Cyan, if you get this position, I wish you luck with the weather people.” She smiled at him. He was obviously idealistic and she felt sorry for him.
“ You do realise that my job is not just overseeing the weather. There are hundreds of thousands of workers in Naturalis who govern the many tasks involved in changing the seasons. There are also the natural elements that need to be handled carefully. Luna, Volcan, Neptune, Islanda and the others. They all have to be treated with diplomacy and tact.” She looked into his eyes to see if she had scared him. No! There was
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