‘That’s what you call “non-grey.” That’s what gives beauty to everything on earth.’ She put an
orb into the General’s hands, an orb with a dazzling gleam. ’Take this. It is the “Life Orb.” Show it
to the world; the message must be spread. But be quick: the earth is at the verge of death…’
‘But how?’, questioned the General again, as the lady faded back into thousands of vol-corona,
flying back to the ceiling.
‘There you are!’ a voice descended from the ceiling. It was a soldier, climbing down a rope
from the ceiling, waving some grey leaves that the General left on the quicksand. ‘What…What
are they?’ he pointed at the creatures.
‘We don’t have time for chit-chat,’ cried the General, ‘Help me up! We must return and stop
the war at once!’
Back in the great grey country, in front of media from all around the world, the General
talked about pollution. He talked about balance. He talked about conservation. His speech, with
the aid of the “Life Orb,” was most convincing and touching. People began cherishing their
environment, and the pollution problem improved progressively. Colours began to re-emerge.
After several years, for the first time in centuries, creatures came out of the underground of
the Gobi Desert, led by a lively deer, who finally got the chance to feel the warmth of the white
sunlight and amplitude of the blue sky. And there, under her hooves, she found a little green
seedling, emerging from the golden sand of the Gobi Desert.
