Sea and Land Have a Chat

A (very) short story.

Sep 10, 2024

“It’s not fair,” says Land to Sea. “You called dibs on the entire planet before I even existed. So selfish.”

“But I only float on top,” says Sea. “Underneath me is all rock. At the earth's core the heat would boil me into oblivion. And on the surface, I evaporate into the air. You’re the one that’s grounded, so to speak.

“OK but you got to give birth to Life,” says Land. “You're the only one who can synergize light and water into organisms.”

“Ha,” shrugged Sea. “Did you not notice that those organisms couldn’t wait to grow lungs and legs? It’s not fair that Life wants to play with you more than me.”

“What are you talking about? You kept the best for yourself. The octopuses. The dolphins and the whales, the coral reefs and cuttlefishes,” says Land. “I got stuck with the humans and they are making such a mess, you wouldn’t believe.”

”Oh shush,” says Sea, “I got the damn humans too, with their jet skis and their oil spills. Listen, you lucked out with the dogs and the cats! Although now that I think about it, I have the otters and the seals, so I guess we’re even.”

“Oh by the way, Sea,” Land grumbles, “will you please stop harrassing me with your waves. Eroding me, stealing my dirt and sand. Blaming Moon for your so called ‘king tides.’ You don’t need more sand, you already have plenty.”

“A little bit of sand, big deal,” says Sea. “Just make some more. Quit wasting your volcanoes on Iceland and go build some more island chains out in the Pacific. Nobody can stop you, not even me. At least not for a few millennia.”