Why the Wind is Invisible

by jr paruolo

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One day, the Wind, feeling a little frisky and mischievous, decided to have a little fun with his friend the River, so he swooped down and paid him a visit.

Wind: "River, look at you, so slow and so lazy! You have no vitality. You're no match for me. I'm much too zippy for you."

River: "Yes, I travel slowly across these flat lands. But if you look high in the mountains at my source you will see how much energy I have – how swiftly I flow with the help of my friend Gravity. But, since I have a long journey to make from the mountains to the sea I must use my energy wisely. And besides you cannot win a race against my cousin Time.

Wind: "How boring – traveling the same route, year after year, century after century. Not me, I'm free to go anywhere I want – see anything I want to see. If I don't travel swiftly, I cease to exist. And as for a race against Time, I'd win hands down."

River: "Boring? No! I have seen many changes in the world – and during that time many faces have looked into me, many hands have dipped into me for a sip of water. I am slow and accommodating because I enjoy it. The younger part of me is always rushing and has few memories – but me; I'm older and savor every memory of every day."

Wind: "Well, I don't have all day to chat- when you set up that race between me and your cousin Time let me know and I will be there."

Now, it's important to know that back in the beginning – the Wind was not invisible like it is today. It was kind of like the River – clear - but not a liquid.

When the contest day finally arrived, Time and the Wind established the ground rules.

Time: "We will each present alternating challenges and the one who fails two first loses."

Wind: "Agreed. Let's start."

Time: "The first challenge: Go backwards."

Wind: "Impossible. I can't blow backwards! I can only go in one direction – forward. But what the heck, you can't either – so I guess we tie on this one."

Time: "Not so fast. I can and will."

And within an instant he took the Wind back in the time to when he was just a little breeze (actually, he came to life when one of the Celestial gods sneezed as the world was being created.) And just as the wind started to enjoy the memory, Time transported them back to the present.

Wind: "I concede. But you tricked me. Now it's my turn. Let's see you move the leaves in that old tree over there."

Time: "I can't – you win that challenge."

Feeling a bit cocky and thinking he had just humiliated Time, the Wind proposed that they have one super challenge, with the winner deciding the loser's fate. The Wind further stipulated that he be allowed to present the challenge. Time agreed.

Time: "Please state the challenge."

Wind: "The first one who goes around the world and returns to this spot first wins." (Thinking no one could ever be quicker than himself – thinking he could never loose.)

Time: "Agreed."

Wind: "We'll start by that big boulder by the River."

So, they both lined up and the River said – GO! Almost immediately, the Wind left and returned. "I win! I win! Exclaimed the Wind excitedly.

Time just laughed.

Wind: "I wouldn't be laughing if I were you. You just lost the race – in fact you never even left the starting line -and I'm about to decide your fate."

Time: "Quite the contrary. It was you who lost the race. Time is everywhere – it doesn't move in one direction like you or at your speed. Nothing is faster than Time because Time must be able to be in the future before everyone or else there would be no future. I had already won the race before you said 'Go".

Wind: "You cheated. I withdraw."

Time: "Too late – I have already told the Celestial gods to impose your punishment."

Wind: "Please don't take away my speed."

Time: "No, nothing that harsh – but from now on you will be invisible. It's bad enough having to listen to you let alone look at you. Additionally, you will be divided into four separate winds: the northern, southern, western and eastern; and, in addition, it will be your job to push the clouds around in the sky at the direction of the Seasons. This should be enough to keep you busy and out of trouble.

And with that said, the Celestial gods enacted the punishment.

From that day forward, the wind has remained invisible and busily at work moving the clouds about through the sky during the seasons - but even with his new tasks he still was able to find a little time for some occasional mischief like blowing hats off heads or holding his breath and stopping sail boats in their tracks.