The mother, with the baby on her back, walked through the barren land. The hunt for water seemed never-ending. Trees were ripped of its glory; only the dry twigs remained, shaking occasionally when a breeze blew. The mother could never forget the image she saw a few days before. She was resting just like usual; she tilted her head and stared at the baby in her arms; it was weak and fragile. As she rested, she saw an eagle sprawling over another body, which lay down, too weak to get up. Circling around the body, it swooped down beside the body and waited for the human to die, but his energy was failing him. If the eagle waited for any longer, the eagle would die. Slowly, it walked to the body and started pecking at the lifeless creature. The mother looked away, not being able to bear the scene. She took her child and walked away, ignoring the slow moans of the body. Dragging her legs, she tried to get rid of the image which haunted her for days. Every night, she woke up in the middle of sleep, dreaming the eagle attacking her child. She stole glances around, ensuring the eagle wasn't chasing her. The lone human in the place, she carried her baby and journeyed in search of water. The Mother Earth was dying and so was she. The prospect of her child having to face the situation alone, empowered her to live her life. She dropped down; the day was extremely hot and she sweltered under the heat. Laying the baby in her lap, she took deep breaths, grateful at the presence of air for their sustenance. Her legs and hands were collapsing and now she wanted more than anything for the eagle to feast on her. Placing her child on the bare arid land, she lay down beside her, drifting off into sleep, no sooner than she lay down. The blazing sun welcomed her. The universe seemed to function only for her. The sun was glaring directly at her and the child. Mustering energy, she got up, looking down at her child. Tears welled in her eyes. She wasn't sure if she was hallucinating, but she saw something glistening beyond in the sunlight. Just the sight of water relished her. A surge of satisfaction swept through her. Carrying the sleeping child, she broke into a sprint, but her legs had gone limp. Hobbling, she walked determinedly, her eyes on the prize. As she drew closer, a sudden surge of dread filled her. The water was present in an infinitesimal amount. It would quench the thirst of neither the mother or the child, but would barely sustain one. She can drink it and watch her son die or she can grant it to her child, sacrificing herself, letting her child face the harsh life. Or she could split the difference and even then, it would make no change. Both of them would die together. Viewing the water, she sat beside it, her child in her arms.