26. The Legend of the Saguaros

Many years ago, when the world was new, the Gods smiled down and blessed the people with the Sun. A young boy named Saguaro devoted his life to the worship of the Gods. 

In acknowledgement of his devotion, the Gods blessed the him with immortality and power over the land. They placed him on a hill and told him to walk. His feet would move the earth. As he walked, a river sprouted at his heels. So long as he kept walking the river would flow, the Sun would never set on the land, and the land would thrive. 

So he walked and the land thrived. His people thrived in the land. Animals swarmed to his river, and life was bounteous. He walked, never sleeping, never tiring, never hungering, for the Gods nourished him as he walked. Generations passed, and though his people grew in number, Saguaro grew ever more lonely. 

For one thousand years Saguaro walked, until one day, a young boy offered him a loaf of bread. Hungry for companionship, Saguaro accepted the offer and ate with the boy.

The Gods saw it as betrayal. As punishment for abandoning his devotion to them, the Gods turned the boy into a lizard and cursed Saguaro. His feet were rooted to the ground beneath him and spines grew from his skin to ward off any other who might try to befriend him. The river ceased to flow, and the land dried up. Without the river to support them, Saguaro's people moved on. Unable to find food, most animals sought new shelter. The land became desert. 

Overcome with grief, Saguaro raised his arms to beseech the forgiveness of the Gods and beg for mercy on his land. Appeased, the Gods granted Saguaro's wish, turning him into the cactus we know today, his arms ever reaching toward the heavens, his body providing the water and shelter needed by the desert animals, including the lizard, who remained behind with him.