But one day, the great mother became very ill. And although her children loved her very much and very much depended on her, a lot of them said: “I have a calling in life and this is what I am going to do today; let those who have a calling to heal the great mother take care of her.” And so they went on their way.
Other children became really angry and stood at the great mother’s door, shouting at those who were leaving: “But don’t you see that the great mother will die if you don’t help us heal her?! Come back! Come back, you selfish ones!”
In the meantime, a few children were at the great mother’s bed side, tending to her needs and singing to her softly. She was indeed very sick and needed all the attention she could get. “Please, stop shouting and let the other ones be gone,” these children said. “The great mother could really use all our help.”
“We know that!” screamed back the others at the door. “Don’t you see that’s why we’re trying to get the other ones to come back?”
And so it went the whole day. The children outside went on minding their own tasks; the children at the door went on screaming at the first ones to come back; and the children inside went on taking care of the great mother.
Finally, dusk came and all the children started heading back to the great mother’s house, excited to eat all the delicious foods the great mother would have prepared for them.
As they approached the house, they were greeted by great screams from the children at the door. “You foolish ones! We have been standing here the whole day, trying to get you to come and help the great mother, but you were too selfish to do anything. You just stayed out and were of no use at all!”
And as they all entered the house, still screaming at each other, they suddenly stopped. The great mother was lying on her bed, motionless. And her children were crying.
