Legend of the Turtle
(Genesis according to Humsa)
In the beginning, here where we now stand, there was nothing. Nothing but darkness broken only by the many stars. The closest of these stars being that which we now call the Sun. Now all of these stars are the windows to the Creator's garden. The magnificent beauty of which makes it impossible for outside eyes to see within.
There came a time when the Creator, while tending his garden, decided to open this window we call our Sun, just to see how things were going. As he opened the window a ball of flame leapt out into the darkness beyond. This did not surprise the Creator though, for he had opened this same window six previous time with the same results. What did surprise him was the striking beauty of this particular ball of flame.
Oh the beauty, it sparkled blue and green and white against the stark blackness. It was of such beauty that it brought tears of emotion to the Creator's eyes. And as the tears flowed, they dropped from the Creator's cheek and landed on that beautiful ball of flame. Words cannot describe the magnificence that resulted from those tears striking that flame. Clouds of rainbows scintillated brightly under the Creator's gaze, bringing still more tears, until they became a constant flow upon that ball of flame. The result was that the glowing orb cooled to become a beautiful blue jewel, a water covered orb surrounded by swirling white clouds.
The studied that blue with interest, beauty, he thought, should be rewarded, for there is never enough of it. So thinking, he reached inside his garden and took up a hand full of the seeds of life. Then he cast them upon those waters below and watched with interest to see what resulted. Surely, He thought, Life spawned amongst such beauty should prove interesting indeed. And he watched those seeds of life take on form within those rich waters. Simple life formed to become fish and sea life of every kind and description, it became sea weed and plant growth of all kinds, life became a kaleidoscope of swirling beauty beneath the wondrous gaze of the Creator, who watched, fascinated. But the Creator was in his heart a farmer, and his garden was vast, and although the view below was worthy of watching, that garden needed his attention. Thus he was about to reluctantly close the window when something caught his eye that would change this world forever.
There upon the waters below appeared a great blue turtle. It floated with it's shell above the water, basking in the warm heat of the Sun with a great smile of contentment on its face.
Seeing this, the Creator was inspired. Why not have other creatures upon that place of beauty that would find such obvious enjoyment. With that thought in mind, reached out to that blue turtle, causing it to grow. It grew immensely under his guidance until it filled one third of that blue sea seen below. Only then did the Creator speak to it. "Dive into the deep, He ordered and cover your shell with that which you find on the bottom."
The now great blue turtle tried its best to do as the Creator asked, but those waters were deep. Even for all her great size, it was all she could do to get to the bottom. Even then she had only enough breath to gather a large mound of mud on the very center of her shell. When she returned again to the surface, she was reminded by the Creator to cover her shell. Thus she dove again and again until her shell was covered. Each trip becoming harder than the last, and each mound of mud smaller. Seven dives she made to those deeps. Seven mounds of mud now reposed upon her back. the largest of which was the first at the center of her shell, the next larger behind her head, then above each leg and her tail. The Creator seeing her valiant effort praised her and rewarded her efforts by removing from her all concerns of nourishment or want.
Then the Creator blew his gentle warm breath of love across the mud on her back, drying the mud. (This gentle wind remains today as our South wind.) As the mud dried, those seeds of life from the waters began to change and conform to it. That which was sea weed became grasses and trees. That which were fish changed form to have legs to walk. Life indeed flourished under that warm Sun beyond even the Creator's dreams. And the Creator watched enthralled by their development. The longer he watched, the more he loved this little garden beyond his own. With loving hands, He would manipulate that life, bringing about harmony from that first riotous chaos that came from new formed life. But, all during this time, was the nagging thought, he was neglecting that greater garden. He sighed looking down. What would become of this beautiful place in his absence? At that moment he saw below one of the life forms that had developed from the seeds of the sea. What a clever little creature this was. Its only protection from the environment about it was its cleverness, and it was doing quite well. It had clever little hands to match it's wits, and the Creator could see that it would survive well here in this little garden.
Watching that creature gave the Creator a thought, reaching within his garden, he removed a very special seed of life. Then He reach within Himself and withdrew a part. Then reaching down, he gathered up a bit of mud from the small garden. Into this mud he placed that special seed, and that of himself, and formed it into the likeness of that other clever creature. Both male and female did he form. Then he lovingly placed those two bits of clay upon that center most mound. Thus did pure man and women come into being. The Creator watched carefully as they came into being. Lovingly, He selected and placed only the best of food growths around them. He carefully selected the beast and other lives about them so that they would know only the best, then pressing his finger into the mud, he made a hole into which he spat, filling it into a well of knowledge for them to draw on. Deep into each pure human's mind he gave the request to care and maintain this garden. Then with a gentle sigh closed the window to return to his work in that vast garden beyond.
Many years passed as the Creator worked his vast garden, years beyond our counting, for His garden reaches beyond the many stars we see. At first the Creator was at ease, knowing that those who were a part of himself were caring for that special garden beyond, which he loved so well. But as the years passed,he began to feel an uneasiness. As got closer to that window that overlooked this special garden, he began to sense an unrest amongst the creatures of this place.
What is this? He wondered, All should be beautiful by now, After all, they who are a part of me should have kept it so. Yet the feelings got more intense as he approached the window. When he got to the window, He opened it very gently and slowly, remembering the flame that shot out. And yes a small ball of flame leapt out this time also, a small ball of flame, that was frozen quickly just short of contacting his beautiful garden. Not frozen by the consideration of a loving Creator, but frozen by the cold breath of exasperation that he felt as he viewed that which took place below.
Pure man, flesh of his flesh, had befouled himself and the garden he was supposed to care for. He had intermarried with those beast so like him from the sea. He sat upon high places proclaiming himself creator and demanding gratitude, while allowing all about him and his kind to fall back into utter chaos.
The very sight sickened the Creator and he cried out in anger, "GREAT TURTLE! GREAT TURTLE! SINK THIS ABOMINATION FROM MY SIGHT! DO IT NOW, AND DO NOT DELAY!"
The great blue turtle shook and quaked at the sound of the Creator's anger, and quickly began to sink beneath the waters. As she sank, she heard the cries of all who were so much a part of her so long, and she remembered that there were those of the Creator's own flesh that were set to floundering, drowning as she sank. With confused emotions, she allowed herself to reemerge part way so that all would not drown.
"WHAT IS THIS?" cried the Creator, "DID I NOT SAY TO SINK? MUST I BEAR YOUR DISOBEDIENCE TOO?"
"No!" Snapped the Turtle, irritated by her emotions. "But I only ask, must all suffer because of the wrong done by that of your own flesh? And how do you expect me to show such little respect for all that you have done for me, as to cause any part of you to perish?"
Still angry, the Creator relented, "SO BE IT TURTLE, BUT RISE NO FURTHER. PERHAPS IT WOULD BE BEST THAT THEY REMAIN SEPARATED. BUT SINCE YOU HAVE DEFENDED THEM, THEN I PLACE THEM IN YOUR CARE. BUT, NO MORE GRIEF."
Then the Creator looked over to the large mound that he had so lovingly prepared for the now despoiled pure man. Anger still filled him as he saw the few remnants still clinging there.
"NO!" he shouted, "NEVER AGAIN SHALL MAN DWELL HERE!"
And so saying, blew out that cold breath of anger upon the land, freezing it and driving all from it. (This became what is known as our North wind today.), Then reaching down, he plucked out the now frozen well of knowledge and crushed it in his hands...
"NEVER AGAIN!" he shouted, scattering the now crushed particles over the land. "THESE BITS AND PIECES YOU MAY HAVE, BUT FULL KNOWLEDGE COMES ONLY FROM ME!" (It must be noted: Those particles are the living crystals to which man owes almost all discoveries.)
Turning to the remains of the once pure people who watched from the six islands remaining to their use, cringing from his anger. His voice became more gentle with His anger spent. But it was still filled with disappointed sadness as he spoke.
"YOU WHO WERE TO BE ALL THERE WAS TO BE, SEE HOW YOU HAVE SHAMED NOT JUST YOURSELVES, BUT ME. YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE TURTLES MUD OVER THAT FLESH OF ME, THUS IT WAS YOUR CHOICE, THUS IT SHALL BE. NOW WRITTEN ON YOUR MINDS ARE THE THE PROPER THINGS TO DO. AND HOW YOU SHALL ACHIEVE THEM IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU. BUT REMEMBER THIS IS MY GARDEN, WHAT YOU DO, YOU DO FOR ME. NOW STOP YOUR FOOLISHNESS AND REGARD THAT WHICH YOU LIVE UPON. SO THAT YOU REMEMBER THIS DAY AND MY ANGER, I SHALL LEAVE THAT SMALL FROZEN ORB ABOVE, TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU CHOSE THIS PATH INSTEAD OF THE PATH OF LOVE. NOW ANGER ME NO FARTHER, AND I SHALL LET THINGS BE, BUT CONTINUE WITH THIS FOOLISHNESS THEN WE WILL HAVE TO SEE." So saying He then left, closing his window.
Behind Him, He left a badly frightened people. But as the generations came and went, the fright became a dim memory. And soon man became his old arrogant self again. Totally ignoring the turtle's shaking and rumblings, he began once again to play havoc upon the lands. The Great Blue Turtle did all in her power trying to keep them in order, but that of the Creator in them was more than a match for her efforts. The six Islands remaining for life were still close together and the remnants of pure people had no problem joining together in their mischief. They held no regard for the green and growing or other lives, as they sought only to enrich their own selves. The forest were turned to poor remnants of greatness, the game slaughtered for no reason, the turtle herself found her shell being pitted and marred by their persistence. And all cried out in anguish.
And the Creator heard. Once again He opened His window. Once again did a ball of flame roll out to be frozen in place. But this time the Creator's anger was curbed by tolerance. Turning to the Turtle rather than the people, He spoke.
"WHAT IS THIS I SEE, TURTLE? DID I NOT LEAVE THEM IN YOUR KEEPING? HOW THEN, HAS THIS BEEN ALLOWED TO BE?"
The Great Blue Turtle shuddered in indignation, thinking, Why is He blaming me, Then went on to complain to the Creator, "What would you have me do? They are of you, and I am but one. I am not great enough in their eyes to deter them."
"GREATNESS!" Shouted the Creator, "IF IT IS GREATNESS THAT SO IMPRESSES YOU, THEN I SHALL SHOW BOTH YOU AND THEM MORE THAN YOU CAN SURMISE!"
So saying, he caused the Turtle to grow in such a way that awed all upon her. The very waters that she once rested upon now rested upon her. So great was her growth, that her shell became that transparent blue sky above us. And she became the Earth that we know. All of the Islands that were upon her back spread out accordingly to her size, much spaced apart. And all life that was now rested upon her flesh. And she became a brilliant blue island in the dark black sea of space. And again the Great Creator addressed all.
"NOW YOU HAVE SEEN GREATNESS. SHE IS NOW YOUR MOTHER EARTH, AND ALL YOU THERE, ARE EARTHLINGS. ALL THAT YOU ARE, SHE IS. AND YOUR FATE IS AT HER COMMAND." Then he returned impatiently to His garden.
Behind Him He left a strange world, which proved that even the Creator Himself could make a mistake. It was an Earth that remained fixed under the Sun. Those upon the islands of earth directly below the Sun were scorched by it. And the flesh of those human kind darkened accordingly. Those farther away became lighter until it came to those on the far side who had no color at all. But worse still that part of the earth away from the Sun knew no heat, and the waters there froze, building up until they threatened all the islands of this new Earth. And again arose a great cry unto the Creator...
And once again the Creator came! And again a great ball of flame shot from His window, to be frozen in place just below his window. The Creator was abashed by what he saw. Feeling shame for what his impatience had caused him to overlook. Thus there was no anger in him as He set about to right the wrong. Blowing gently upon the Earth, He caused it to start spinning. (This breath to become our West wind.) Then seeing that it was beginning to spin too fast, He blew again on the other side until it spun just right. (This breath became our East wind.) Seeing that all was in order. He again addressed those of the Earth. This time with the love of old.
"THERE NOW, ALL SHOULD BE IN ORDER. EACH OF YOU SHALL SHARE EQUALLY THE WARMTH OF THE SUN, ALSO WILL YOU KNOW THE DARKNESS. ALL YOUR ISLANDS SHALL KNOW THIS, EXCEPT THAT ONE NO ONE SHALL LIVE UPON. IT ALONE SHALL REMAIN FROZEN."
"But Creator," lamented the people, "On the dark side we shall be at the mercy of those beast of the dark. Who will protect us?"
"FEAR NOT!" spoke the Creator, "I SHALL GIVE YOU TWO THINGS TO COMBAT THOSE BEAST. FIRST I SHALL GIVE YOU FIRE FOR HEAT AND LIGHT, AND SECOND FAITH IN ME. MY WINDOWS SHALL REMAIN ABOVE YOU AND I SHALL BE WITH YOU THERE. BUT HARKEN TO MY WORDS! BURY THEM IN YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS. FOR THEY ARE NOT JUST FOR YOU, BUT FOR ALL TO COME IN TIME."
Then the Creator swept his hands over the Earth. And a rainbow was formed. Seven beautiful colors harmonizing to form half a circle, beginning and ending upon the Earth.
"SEE HERE," explained the Creator, "SEVEN COLORS OF BEAUTY AND HARMONY. LOOK UPON THEM. THAT RED IS YOUR MOTHER THE EARTH. THAT ORANGE IS THAT ORGANIC LIFE UPON HER, WHICH YOU ARE A PART. THAT YELLOW IS THE WARM SUN ABOVE, MY WINDOW TO YOU. THAT GREEN IS YOUR GREEN AND GROWING BROTHERS. THE BLUE, YOUR MOTHER'S SHELL, THE SKY WHICH PROTECTS YOU AND THE WATERS THAT BORE YOU. INDIGO, IS THAT INORGANIC LIFE THAT I GAVE YOU, THOSE CRYSTALS OF KNOWLEDGE. VIOLET IS LIFE AND ALL THAT LIFE IS. SEE THERE HOW THEY MAKE BUT A HALF CIRCLE, AND KNOW THAT THIS IS MY SIGN TO YOU. CONTINUE THAT CIRCLE OF HARMONY THERE UPON THAT EARTH AS WAS FIRST GIVEN YOU TO DO. THEN WHEN YOU HAVE OVER COME THAT OF EARTH WITHIN YOU AND RETURNED TO THAT WHICH YOU ORIGINALLY WERE, MY WINDOW SHALL BE OPEN TO YOU AND I SHALL WELCOME YOU AT MY SIDE."
Thus He spoke that final time. And awaits us still this day......
DA NAHO!Blue Turtle
