The Night of Falling Stars

The emergency meeting started at sunset in Colchani village hall. Polly sat on a wooden beam and watched the salt workers come in. Their faces showed anger and worry because their families had worked these salt flats for many generations.

"They changed their plans," Elena announced, showing satellite images on a screen. "These pictures show the underground water is moving. We have only seventy-two hours before the contamination reaches our ceremonial harvest grounds."

The crowd began talking nervously. The ceremonial grounds produced the purest salt, which they used for traditional medicines and religious ceremonies.

An elderly woman named Doña Carmen stood up. "What do you want us to do, Elena? We are salt workers, not protesters."

"The mining company has been lying in their environmental reports," Elena replied. "I have proof, but it's stored on their computers at the field office."

Joaquín finally spoke. "The company's office is forty kilometers away, near the thermal pools. It has many guards."

"Guards watch for people, not birds," Polly said, understanding the plan.

Elena's eyes brightened. "You mean—"

"Tomorrow they have a big ceremony for their new plant," Polly interrupted, spreading her wing. "While everyone watches that, a lost parrot might visit their office."

Doña Carmen laughed. "Let's see how they feel when their own data proves they're lying."

As people began making plans, Joaquín worried. "This is dangerous, mija. If they catch her—"

"They won't," Elena said firmly.

Outside, stars appeared in the dark sky. Elena looked up at them with hope.

"There's an old belief that stars are our ancestors watching over the salt flats," she told Polly. "Tomorrow night, there will be falling stars. The elders say it means change is coming."

Polly ruffled her feathers, already planning her route to the office. The ancient salt flats had survived for thousands of years, but they might not survive the mining company.

"Seventy-two hours," Joaquín repeated. "That's all we have."

"Then we'd better make them count," Polly said, watching the stars multiply overhead.