New Plant, New Life

A young goddess mourns the loss of her love 300 words

New Plant, New Life

Mercuria was young as goddesses go, but she had a weariness of soul since the death of her beloved Comello. She had begun a poem to him, but was unable to finish it, without sobbing huge jade tears. Each hit the ground and seemed to bury itself in even the most inhospitable soil, like a seed.

In despair, she sat herself down nearby and began to water them with copious tears of sorrow. As time went on, the seeds grew lushly and surrounded her like a screen. The fleshy leaves were abundant and soon covered her completely.

The people began to come just to look at these unusual plants. Some took a slip home to plant in their homes. When they did, it seemed to revive them and their families immediately.

Word spread about this amazing ‘jade plant’ and soon the lavish growth was stripped down to Mercuria herself. She was shining with gold and diamonds, completely transformed.

The people came to worship her and ask for help. Each person that came brought a slip of the jade plant and rooted it around her. Eventually, her figure was carpeted with them. She was also overjoyed to have a purpose again.

One morning, she heard a beloved voice calling.

“Mercuria, Mercuria my love!”

She was so happy to see Comello, she fell into his arms.

“Are you ready to join me, beloved?” he whispered.

As she nodded, he whisked her up to the place where the gods go upon death. They left behind a statue of her so the people could still pray for favors. The jade plants that grew there now had tiny crystal and gold hearts on the leaves; and despite being stripped from around the shrine, they always grew back even lusher than ever.