The Origins of Chameleons 
(or: Small Green Lizard's story as told by the women of Caladraland)

This story begins during the Green Age, when sweet Asrelia still walked among us. Under her green stride, trees and flowers sprung. From her beautiful hands jumped the animals and from her perfumed breath she created Women. What a joyous time! No one knew hunger or fear. Peoples lived in peace and plenty, as the Goddess gave everyone anything they wanted.

Among the great trees where Asrelia had her court, lived Small Green Lizard. Small Green Lizard was small, green... different. He was Asrelia's favourite, who allowed his every whim and never complained about his endless wailings.

- Why has Bila Bila Monkey Mother hands and feet which can grab? he wailed to the Green Goddess.
- Because such is the monkey nature, answered the Sweet One. And I willed it that way.
- Me, me, I also want paws that catch and grip! cried Small Green Lizard.
And, as Asrelia loved him much and allowed his every whim, she gave him paws like those of a monkey but even better.

- Why has Niriss Jaguar Father such a long and supple tail? he wailed to the Green Goddess.
- Because such is the jaguar nature, answered the Sweet One. And I willed it that way.
- Me, me, I also want a tail that curls! cried Small Green Lizard.
And, as Asrelia loved him much and allowed his every whim, she gave him a tail like a jaguar but even better.

- Why have flowers and fruits the most beautiful colours in the jungle? he wailed to the Green Goddess.
- Because such is the plants nature, answered the Sweet One. And I willed it that way.
- Me, me, I want all the colours of the jungle! cried Small Green Lizard.
And, as Asrelia loved him much and allowed his every whim, she gave him every colour he wanted and even more, should he desire so one day.

- Why has Vrimia Bird Mother piercing eyes that see everything? he wailed to the Green Goddess.
- Because such is the bird nature, answered the Sweet One. And I willed it that way.
- Me, me, I also want eyes that see everything at once! cried Small Green Lizard.
And, as Asrelia loved him much and allowed his every whim, she gave him the eyes of a bird but even better.

But one night came the Black Devourer, Argan Argar and his dark army. And they began to eat the jungle: trees, animals and women alike. One knows how Asrelia gifted the Dark Lord with insects and moulds to have Red Caladra back at another time. It was during this assault, as Darkness surrounded the Green Land, that insects in the Dark Army forgot totally who was their mother and ate and bred without limits, like Uz. Yes, like Uz.

But we were not without strength on our side: with the help of Caladra and his Tribe of Men, gods and goddesses, women and animals and even plants took part in the ultimate struggle against Cold and Dark and Evil. And we fought together, even when there was no hope. And we, united, vanquished the hordes of the Devourer.

All united? No, not all. After the battle, as many gods and goddesses, the children of Caladra, covered the ground, disappearing forever with their animals and plants, as great Heroes and wise Heroines were just rotten carcasses, their bloodlines now forgotten, Small Green Lizard was found quivering, hidden below a little leaf. 

Asrelia got really angry this time, and the Fertile Mother can be as terrible as the shaking earth or as cruel as the jungle.

- You little miserable creature, why didn't you fight? 
- But, sweet mother, I'm so small!
- So what? Colibri is smaller than you and he did fight!
- But, sweet mother, I don't know the arts of war!
- So what? Do you think Orchid knew how to fight? She learnt, as we all did here, with the help of Caladra!
- But, sweet mother... I was afraid! The enemies were so great and so terrible!

There was a long silence.

- The truth, whispered the Green Goddess, is that I was blind to your nature. You think only of yourself! Your swift tongue poisoned my mind and made me dance to your song! There! Here his my last gift for you. Since your tongue is so nimble, it will become your weapon. Your other gifts I won't take back! You will now hunt the smallest and most miserable enemies of the jungle. You will eat only insects that you'll catch with your tongue and I won't hear another word from you. You may come back and see me again when there is no more insects in the Green Land. So be it.

And that's why nowadays no one here worships ChaMeLeon (which means Small Green Lizard in our language) and he never talks: his children are too busy chasing insects to win back the Goddess' favours. 

And may this story be a lesson to you, you little scoundrels, if you ever complain about what the Goddess gave you! Asking more of the gods is only for those who deserve it, and can become a curse.