Tag: ice-age

The Devotees

lazaruscarpenterauthor

WIND

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the heart of a lush valley, there lived a man named Constantine. Constantine was known throughout the village for his peculiar fascination with the wind. From a young age, he had been captivated by the invisible force that swept through the land, whispering secrets and tales of distant lands. Constantine would spend hours on end sitting atop a hill, his eyes closed, face turned upwards, and arms extended as if embracing an old friend. He would relish in the gentle caress of the breeze against his skin, feeling an inexplicable connection to the wind’s ever-changing rhythm. It was as if he could hear the wind’s voice, carrying with it messages only he could comprehend.

The villagers found Constantine’s devotion to the wind quite puzzling. They couldn’t fathom why he would choose to spend his days in such a manner, disconnected from the mundane affairs of their lives. Some whispered that he was eccentric or perhaps even mad, but Constantine paid no heed to their judgments. His heart and soul were intertwined with the wind, and that was all that mattered to him. One day, a renowned traveller arrived in the village. His tales of far-off lands and exotic adventures sparked the villagers’ curiosity, and they gathered around him, eager to listen. Constantine, always thirsty for knowledge and new experiences, joined the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of the world beyond his beloved valley.

As the traveller began to recount his stories, Constantine’s attention was immediately drawn to a particular tale. It spoke of a distant land where people worshipped the wind as a deity, believing it to be a divine messenger connecting them to the gods. Their lives revolved around the wind’s whispers, and they built magnificent temples atop the highest mountains to pay homage to its power. Constantine’s heart leapt with joy and recognition. It was as if the traveller had unveiled the missing piece of a puzzle he had been trying to solve his entire life.

Without hesitation, he approached the traveller, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Sir, please tell me more about this land where the wind is revered. I have spent my days worshipping the wind, feeling its presence in the deepest corners of my being. It is as if the wind has chosen me as its devotee,” Constantine exclaimed.

The traveller, intrigued by Constantine’s genuine enthusiasm, smiled warmly and shared further details about the land. He described how the wind’s whispers guided the people’s decisions, how they danced and sang in celebration of its arrival, and how they found solace and inspiration in its ever-changing nature. Constantine’s heart swelled with a newfound purpose. He made up his mind to embark on a journey to this far-off land, to bask in the presence of his cherished wind, and to become a part of the community that shared his devotion. With each passing day, Constantine’s excitement grew. He bid farewell to his village and ventured into the unknown, driven by his unwavering faith in the wind. His journey was long and arduous, filled with trials and tribulations, but he pressed on, fuelled by the thought of finally finding his place in the world.

Months later, Constantine arrived at the land where the wind was worshipped. The sight before him was awe-inspiring. Countless temples adorned the mountaintops, their magnificent structures reaching towards the heavens. People dressed in vibrant robes moved gracefully, their movements mirroring the ebb and flow of the wind. Constantine’s heart swelled with a sense of belonging as he stepped foot into this sacred land. Word of the wind’s devoted traveller quickly spread throughout the community. The villagers, intrigued by Constantine’s unwavering dedication to the wind, welcomed him with open arms. They saw in him a kindred spirit, someone who understood the profound connection between humanity and the unseen forces of nature. Constantine immersed himself in the rituals and practices of the wind worshippers. He learned to read the wind’s subtle cues, deciphering its messages and interpreting its intentions.

He danced with the villagers, twirling and spinning to the wind’s melodic symphony, feeling its energy flow through his veins. In time, Constantine became a revered figure within the community. His knowledge and love for the wind inspired others to deepen their own relationship with this mystical force. Together, they celebrated the wind’s presence, organizing grand festivals and ceremonies to honour its benevolence. As years passed, Constantine grew older, yet his devotion to the wind never wavered. He became a wise mentor, passing down his wisdom and teachings to the younger generation. He taught them to respect and cherish the wind, to listen to its whispers with open hearts and minds.

One tranquil evening, as Constantine sat atop a mountain peak, his eyes closed and his body swaying in harmony with the wind, he felt a deep sense of fulfilment. He had found his purpose in life, his true calling as the wind’s devotee. The wind, in turn, had bestowed upon him a life rich with meaning and connection. In the twilight of his days, Constantine passed away peacefully, surrounded by the gentle caress of the wind he had worshipped all his life. The villagers mourned his loss but knew that his spirit would forever be carried on the wind’s breath, spreading his love and reverence for the unseen forces that interweave with our lives.

And so, the story of the man who worshipped the wind became a legend, whispered from generation to generation. A reminder that there is beauty and wisdom in embracing the intangible, in finding solace and inspiration in the elements that surround us. Constantine’s legacy lived on, a testament to the power of devotion and the profound connection between humanity and the world that lies beyond our grasp, the ever-mysterious, ever-enchanting wind.

Abstract from ‘The Devotees’ written by Lazarus Carpenter and illustrated by Gill Brooks

The Last Ice Age of Thalora – A Lesson for Planet Earth

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In a distant galaxy, nestled within the spiral of the Celestial Veil, lay the planet Thalora. Once a vibrant world rich with lush forests, expansive oceans, and teeming wildlife, Thalora thrived under the gentle warmth of its sun, Solara. However, the delicate balance of nature began to shift when a series of catastrophic events changed the climate forever. It started with a slight warming of the planet, attributed to increased volcanic activity that released vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The inhabitants, known as the Thalorans, were initially thrilled by the warmer temperatures, enjoying bountiful harvests and longer growing seasons. They celebrated the vibrancy of their land, believing they had entered an era of prosperity.

But as years passed, the warming intensified, leading to dramatic changes. Glaciers that had long stood sentinel over the northern regions began to melt alarmingly, releasing freshwater into the oceans. This disrupted ocean currents, causing erratic weather patterns and extreme storms. The once-crystal-clear skies darkened with heavy clouds, and the rain became relentless. Then came the tipping point. A sudden and massive volcanic eruption on the continent of Zephyr triggered a chain reaction. Ash and sulfuric gases filled the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing temperatures to plummet. Within months, the world that had known warmth was thrown into chaos. The Thalorans watched in horror as their lush forests turned to barren wastelands and the oceans froze.

As the temperature dropped, the Thalorans sought refuge in the remaining warmer areas of the planet, but resources became scarce. Food shortages led to conflict among tribes, and the once-united people were divided. Legends of a “Great Thaw” began to circulate, tales of when the sun would return, and the ice would melt, restoring their world. A wise elder named Arin emerged among the chaos, urging unity among the tribes. He believed they could survive the ice age if they pooled their knowledge and resources. Arin proposed a daring venture: to journey to the Great Mountain, an ancient site said to hold the secrets of Thalora’s climate. The journey was treacherous, filled with blizzards and ice crevices that tested their resolve. But the Thalorans persevered, united by hope and the desire to save their world. Upon reaching the Great Mountain, they discovered ancient carvings that told the story of Thalora’s cycles—warmth and cold, life and death. They learned that the planet had undergone similar transformations in the past and that balance could be restored.

Inspired by this knowledge, the Thalorans devised a plan. They would create controlled fires to generate warmth and develop methods to cultivate crops in harsh conditions. They also focused on conserving water and nurturing the remaining patches of forest, encouraging regrowth. Slowly, their efforts began to pay off. As they worked together, the ice started receding, revealing fertile land again. The Thalorans celebrated the return of sunlight and warmth, but they had learned a crucial lesson: the importance of respecting nature’s balance.

With the Great Thaw finally upon them, the Thalorans vowed never to forget the lessons of the past. They established a council dedicated to guarding the planet’s health, ensuring that the mistakes that led to the ice age would not be repeated. Thus, Thalora emerged from its ice age, a testament to resilience and unity. The Thalorans thrived once again, but they did so with a newfound respect for their environment, understanding that the warmth they once took for granted could easily turn to frost. And so, the cycle of life continued a reminder of the delicate balance that holds the universe together. 

Lazarus Carpenter (2025)