In one dimension, there was an immense Life.
It cultivated an enormous tree, its child. The tree it raised from a severed portion of its own life grew into a sacred being, and in time gained intelligence. Eventually, the tree came to love a single human.
“O Great Tree of Life, please accept this insignificant child.”
“Take the child as your family, O great myth.”
“And bestow the blessing of life upon us humans!”
The tree did not heed them. That the life granted to humans was finite was providence established by Life. No one could carelessly receive the blessing of Life’s child.
But with each passing day, its love for the tiny human child only grew. The child was innocent and kind, and treated the tree as family. Yet the human child was terribly fragile.
“The child you loved has died.”
“The child was divided into five pieces and killed, receiving punishment for the blasphemy of treating a god’s child without proper reverence!”
“This was fitting divine punishment. Do not grow angry; grant us only mercy!”
“We humans, the child included, dwell within the embrace of Life!”
The tree was so sorrowful that it burst into tears. The tears shed by Life’s child became a heavenly blessing to the humans. The humans grew crueler still. They offered it bloodstained sacrifices.
“We offer this sacrifice. Bestow your blessing…!”
“Send down the rain of life!”
One among the humans…