I have come back to the place where my journey on Earth began. Once more, I am among the rivers, lakes, and ponds. There is hardly any life within me now. Where I had been clear and a balm to a hurting soul, I am now dirtied. The only birds that come to me are crows and a few other scavengers. The only lives that fester within me are the algae and  weeds. There are so many microorganisms, each ready to spread a disease of their own, and when they do, I will no longer be there to heal you. I am no longer your cure. The venom that runs deep within me is what you have created, and my spite makes it much more powerful. I am the destroyer now.

The lands burn like a desert. The plants wilt and die, for what little is left for them is sucked dry by the sun. He drains me too now, pulling me once more into the skies, and my heart is torn with the decision I am to make. Even as the sun pulls at me with all his might, even as I burn from the inside out, I wonder if I should resist. After all, why not give you up after all these years of struggle? I hesitate. How could I possibly face my cloud when I have failed my purpose? Is it not a shame that I have failed my duty? I think once more of my humble beginnings, and I give. There never was and never will be any shame in accepting the truth.

I rise higher and higher until, once more, I find myself back at home.

"You are back, little one."

"Yes, but I have failed. I have broken my promise to you."

"We have all failed, child. There is nothing more that can be done."

I notice that my cloud has changed. What was once comforting and bright now looks pale and feels acrid. I can feel his despair as keenly as my own. How could you?  How could you make him a dealer of death? I had thought that the cruelties of man had been left behind, but I was wrong. You have destroyed not only your home but mine too. This time, as our cloud surges ahead, I feel very different. This time, it is not excitement. It is only fear and resentment. When we charge, I feel pure agony, the likes of which I have never felt before. I had once been cool and refreshing, yet I can feel myself burn now. You have changed me to reflect the poison in you.

This time, as the clouds crash, I have my answer: they are suffering for no reason but duty, just like me. When our cloud opens up, I try my best to stay behind, and yet, my pride will not allow me. Pride will be my downfall, just as it will be yours. This time when I fall, I beg the winds to bear me away to one of your creations so I can watch them burn, but he cannot. This time, I truly am an embodiment of tears. This time, I don't hide your tears for you- I cause them. I fall on the stones, and I can feel them sizzling and burning upon my touch. I have become an acid. The lands that I touch become toxic. The plants I touch die. The skin and hide that I touch become disfigured. They all suffer, yet none as much as I. But I will not call myself the cause- that term I reserve for you, and you only.

It is only then that I truly realize where you are heading. You, humans, are heading towards your own doom. Hear my words when I say that you will destroy yourself faster than you destroy our beloved planet. There is no saving you any more. Then why bother to tell you my story? That is your question, is it not? Let me give you my answer- it is the last hope that I have. We cannot save you, but you can still save yourselves. You are not helpless, dear humans. Your younglings have the power to spread change. It is never too late to right the wrongs you have committed. If even a tenth of your people raise their voice, our world will become a much safer place. Raise your voice for change, and raise your hands in action. Save the world as only you can.

The world was a merry place before, with little luxury but much joy. Go back to those days. Progress, but not at the cost of the environment that nourishes you. We are your power. Use us in a way that'll genuinely help you. They say that you will never truly understand our worth until we are lost to you, and you have learned of this before. Don't wait for us to teach you this hard lesson once more. Your ancestors saw me in all my glory as a mighty waterfall. Later, I was restricted to your little pipes. You and your parents see me in your taps. In some parts of the world, they see me only in their bottles. Don't wait for a time when you'll only find me in your tears.

No matter how much you hurt us, you are still the creator's children, and it is our duty to love and care for you. All we ask is that you protect us enough for us to do so. My story ever goes on and on. I have told you but a small part of it, yet I can only hope that it has taught you much. I will not take any more of your time, for if you truly love me, then this would have spurred you onward already. I rest my case now. At least I have done my part in telling you why I seem to be so uncaring and unforgiving. It is my only way of survival now. If it means your welfare, then so be it. If it means the safety of the lives I have been entrusted to protect, then so be it. If it means that the Earth will thrive once more, then so be it. I will be whatever it takes. Even if it means being the one word that I so despise. Cold-hearted.