WHY THE SKY IS FAR AWAY

By TONY PRO

Long ago, in the early days of the world, the sky was not as distant as it is now. In fact, it hung low, so low that people could reach up and touch it. It was a time of great abundance, peace, and harmony between the earth and the heavens. The sky gave freely to the people: rain when they were thirsty, warmth when they were cold, and even food when they were hungry. All it asked in return was respect and moderation.

The people, at first, were grateful. They took only what they needed and offered thanks through songs, dances, and silence under the stars. But as time passed, greed grew among them. They began to take more than they needed. They cut from the sky’s clouds for blankets, scraped stars to make jewelry, and used the sky’s winds to power their games.

The sky grew tired and wounded by their thoughtlessness. It whispered warnings through thunder and flashed anger with lightning. Yet the people paid no mind. They laughed louder, reached higher, and demanded more.

One day, a young girl named Alupo Zoe, known for her curiosity and kindness, climbed the tallest hill and asked the sky why it looked so tired. The sky sighed and said, “I once stood near to guide and nurture you. But your people have taken me for granted. I am hurt, and I must leave.”

Alupo Zoe cried and pleaded, “Please don’t go. Not all of us are ungrateful. I will tell them. I will teach them.”

But the sky gently answered, “It is too late. I must rise where greedy hands cannot reach. Maybe from afar, you will learn to appreciate what was once close.”

And so, with a heavy heart, the sky lifted itself higher and higher until it became untouchable. From then on, rain had to travel a longer path to reach the earth. Stars could only be admired from a distance. And the people, looking up, were reminded of what they had lost through greed.

To this day, the sky remains far away not out of cruelty, but as a lesson. A lesson that the most precious things in life should never be taken for granted.

And when you look up at the vast sky on a clear night, remember: it was once near, it was once a friend but now it watches silently from afar, hoping we’ve learned.