There are four natural elements: air, fire, water and earth. They are mentioned from the zodiac signs, to the Planeteers.
What we tend to forget is that these are within us – our thoughts, passion, emotions, life, but most important of all is our heart; our desire.
Also part of Weekend Writing Prompt #199
Have you ever felt like you’re running out of air? Bobby the chipmunk did. And lately he felt so more than ever. So much in fact that he set it upon himself to save the world and do something about it.
At first he thought that it was a natural consequence of over population. So he started considering what he could do about it. But reducing the population forcefully or by any other way was not even an option. Bobby loved to have friends to play with and talk to. He would be really lonely otherwise, and he knew very well that he would not do well with that.
So he began devising a plan. Creating more oxygen seemed tricky. So his remaining option was salvaging and utilizing the existing air as efficiently as possible. He thought that he would lead by example and be an inspiration to all others. So he set off, placing his seemingly brilliant plan in motion.
The first experiment was simple. He would try to breathe in less air. But he realized that made him breathe quicker and more often and in the end, he was actually inhaling more air this way.
Next, Bobby took a paper bag. He would try breathing in slowly and hence less frequently. It appeared to be working for the first couple of inhales, but then he choked on a cookie crumb that happened to have been left inside the bag. It took a distraught and discombobulated sea gull, together with a bear to release Bobby from the cookie crumb that was suffocating him so that he could finally breathe normally again.
But that did not discourage him from continuing his quest. What if he tried holding his breath for a bit? He would estimate how long he could go on without air and portion each of his inhales accordingly. That did not end very well either, though. Soon Bobby became pale, then blue, then a bit red as his eyes almost popped out of his skull and with a face like a funny (but very weird) cartoon, as soon as he let go, he literally flew across the park, deflating like a balloon. There had to be an easier way.
When he met Gerry the giraffe – he fell onto his neck while soaring across the air – the tall animal almost fell over laughing at Bobby’s concern and plans. He did his best to assure him that the air was not going to run out any time soon, not even in their lifetime. Gerry even gathered all the animals to pledge that they would use their air supplies resourcefully and efficiently in order to allay his concerns. Tired of the unsuccessful efforts to reverse the depleting air levels, Bobby decided to recede. Every now and then though he did climb onto a tall tree, simply to feel the gush of fresh wind entering his lungs. And just in case, he had a paper bag with him – always checked for potential deadly crumbs beforehand.
The air was there, although he couldn’t see it. He just had to trust that it would still be there whenever he needed it and in however large or small quantities. Trust after all, was a fundamental component of life.
MC's Whispers 