they would lay a green leaf over each eye.
The undersides were so soft and cool
that in no time the gods were asleep.
One day a god awoke to find his leaves gone
and, in their stead, a fat locust sitting on each eyelid.
When he opened his eyes wide, the locusts flew off.
Wait! Cried the god. You have taken my leaves.
Your leaves? Inquired one locust.
How could we know they were yours?
The wind gave them to me, the god replied.
Then ask the wind for more, shouted the other locust.
The god went straight to the wind,
but the wind just shrugged.
The greedy locust have eaten them all, said the wind.
But what shall we do if there are no green leaves
with soft undersides to soothe us? Moaned the god.
I will blow the locust so far away,
the trees will have time to grow new ones,
promised the wind.
And that is why locusts come once every seventeen years
and why the gods are patient.
The Story Was Taken From An Excellent Book Titled "The Pond Gods." The picture, of course, is mine.
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