For many, many centuries, Earth, Water, Fire, and Air have lived together. Some days, Water really wore down Earth or doused Fire’s flame. But other days, Water helped create life for Earth or put out Fire’s accidental fires when he got particularly hot and bothered one day. When Water helped give Earth life to care for, Air joined the group as a new friend. Together, the four of them worked together to care for Earth’s creatures.

Water would give parts of herself to the creatures to sustain them and provide them with life. She loved many of the creatures, but she had a soft spot for the humans. She has many memories of them drinking her supply and them sighing in relief or pleasure. No other creature could so verbalize the feeling they had when they drank Water. One of her other favorites, the hippo, loved Water. And perhaps they should’ve been her favorite because of the care they took of her. But she was always drawn back to those humans, the ways their lips would draw in water, always eager for more.

Fire was stubborn at first to yield to any of the creatures, but he too found a soft spot for the humans. He can still remember the first day that he yielded to the humans. It was very cold outside, Earth had a crisp frost on, Air was piercingly cold, and Water was frozen. Fire remained the only one unbothered. Two of the early human creatures sat together huddled in a cave. The larger human hugged the small one, likely its offspring, closer to their chest. Fire, though not human, understood that humans have feelings and emotions. He understood this human was freezing, and the little one would freeze faster. If Fire was human, he surely would’ve grumbled and groaned as he lit the cave to keep the humans warm. The face of the humans was unforgettable as it changed from shock and fear to pure happiness as their bodies began to warm. From then on, the others teased Fire for his warm heart and his fondness of the humans. Of course, he denied it, but from then on, he would light on their command when they had the “right tools” which he and Earth came together to figure out after this.

Air’s relationship with Earth’s creatures can be very complicated. She loves the flora, how they nurture Earth, how they take from the air and give back. She felt that of all the living things on Earth, flora were the most selfless and the most beautiful. Her relationship with humans was complicated. She knew they needed her and that her friends really cared for them, but she felt that they often took selfishly. Then the worst part came. They started created a filth that tainted Air. No matter what she did, she couldn’t escape it. The humans didn’t create too much at first, but as the years went along, she was growing filthier and filthier. Fire told her she looked amazing still despite her growing anxiety about it, but she felt wrong. Like she had lost a part of herself everytime one of the humans smoked, or everytime a factory turned on the flames, or everytime a car started. Despite it all, she stayed for the humans. No, she stayed for her friends. For Earth. Because for as much as each of her friends cared for the humans, it was Earth who carried the most weight, the most love, and the most change

Earth had changed so much in the years since life had been created. He remembers when he was just dirt, or if Water had a bad day, when he was mud. But something had happened and life began to grow. And it chose Earth. At first, Earth was worried. What if he wasn’t the right choice. What if this dirt wasn’t enough. But with time, life prospered, turning his caked and muddy skin into a lush green beauty. He had no idea he could be so beautiful. When the humans came, they made him feel even better. They adored his broken pieces. They named the crevice where Water had really upset him “the Grand Canyon” and travelled from all over to visit his “beauty”. They played in the sand, the mud, the dirt, the grass, or anywhere they could. They created beautiful masterpieces along his shell. So what if they had to destroy parts of him to do it? They told him it made him more beautiful, and he believed them. He loved the humans with everything. He felt that all the creatures had allowed him to find his true self. It’s unfortunate that in order to do that, it meant he would also have to lose himself.

The others were worried. Earth was sick. And it wasn’t just a chill from the cold air. This was different. Fire, Water, and Air gathered to talk to Earth, to convince him to focus on his health, because they knew exactly what the cause was. Because in truth, they all had been sick for some time.

Air was being turned into something dark and disgusting, taking away her beauty. Water was always feeling icky now, no matter where she went. She had started feeling a certain irony that the humans used her to clean themselves when she herself never felt clean. And fire? Fire was exhausted. He was being summoned entirely too much and not able to keep the control he was used to. In what felt like yesterday he had lit up a major portion of a state on fire because someone had summoned him and he was unable to stay contained. But Earth, he was dying. And it was because of all the things bothering the others was all bothering him.

“Earth, my friend, we must speak,” Fire decides to begin the conversation. The three had discussed this conversation must be had. But Air and Water were nervous that Earth wouldn’t understand their concern was well placed. Fire, not ever fearing anything, said he would take charge.

“Not now Fire, I am busy. The humans-,” but before Earth could finish, Fire cut him off.

“This is actually what we must speak to you about. The humans. They are out of control. We must make change, or I’m afraid-“ Fire’s words trailed. Earth, now intrigued, confused, and concerned, studied his friend.

“You fear what?” Earth asks in an even calm voice.

“I fear they will be the end of you,” Fire says with a sadness lacing his words.

“Nonsense, Fire. You have always been hesitant about them. That’s all it is.”

But now Water had found her “liquid courage”, she had once heard the humans say that phrase and was quite delighted by it. “Earth, you know that we love the humans as well. But look what they have been doing to us for centuries now. Air, as wonderful as she is, has been suffering. Fire tries to help them and loses control because of dryness of your land. And you cannot tell me that you or I are healthy either. My creatures of the sea have long suffered from my filth. And you, my friend, can no longer keep your ice caps cold, your temperatures stable, your soil clean-“

Earth moves to cut water off, “No-“

Air interrupts him, breathlessly, she rushes out her words, “Listen to her. You are the best of us. Without you, we all fall. So if you will not listen for yourself, listen for us.” Earth quiets. For a moment, they all are silent.

Earth finally says, “I will hear you. But I cannot guarantee I will listen.”

“You are not being cared for. The humans disrespect you. They use you. They use us. But without you, there is no us. And without us, you can still live. I am not saying you must cut them off. But you must put yourself first. Or there will be no Earth for our humans to live on,” Water finishes her speech with grace and certainty. But Earth says nothing, only considers what she has said. He knows she is right, that they do not take care of him. However, he doesn’t know if he can find the heart to push back on his little humans. Like a father with an only daughter, he feels a level of protectiveness. He feels as if he must give them the world and justify it by all means. But a new fear lights across Earth’s crust. What if something happens to him? What will happen to his humans? And for the first time in what is likely too long, he takes a hard look at his friends.

Air looks exhausted, filthy, and thinner than he’s ever seen her. Fire is duller than his normal self and his flames weak. And water…

Water was the worst Earth had ever seen her. Normally, she was very put together, always neat. But now, she looked like “Hell” (this was one of the things he learned from the humans. He didn’t quite understand it but he understood the implication. It was not a good thing. It was a very bad thing. And in this case, it was the only word he could think of.) Water was not her normal color and there was a certain palidness to her that was also supported by a weakness in her demeanor. What had they done to her? What had she allowed them to do?

What may be even worse was Earth wasn’t sure there was anything he really could do. They didn’t know that, of course. It had been a long time since Earth could really do much about the humans. There were so many. And they had made so many advances in their creations. One of their creations could blow chunks of Earth wide open and that wasn’t because he was letting them. The others thought he had control. But he didn’t. Maybe he could stop some things. But there were some things beyond his power now. The humans were clever. And apart from just sinking them all into Earth’s crust, which he would not do, he could not change things much from what they were.

“I have heard you. But I am sorry. It will be the people’s choice if they change,” Earth says in the gentlest way he can. After all, they wanted to help. Their disappointment is palpable as Air and Water leave the room. A look flickers across Fire, as if he might say more, but he too settles into his disappointment and leaves. Because we all know, the people will not change. And we will pay the price of it. Perhaps I coddled them too much or spoiled them too hard. Some of my humans understand our pain, but most believe it is what is owed to them.

My friends may have wanted things to change, but we will do as we can for the humans, until we no longer can.