Water

Water is a mysterious and complex element. From a chemical perspective it is quite simple. Yet it plays so many vital roles on this planet. Human life cannot exist without water, yet too much will kill us. It cleanses and refreshes us, physically and spiritually. It nourishes our crops and provides food for our tables. It is a highway, transporting goods and people from one location to another. Some people see it as a barrier; but for others it is merely a simple obstacle to be crossed on the way to a better life. It easily flows around solid rocks; conversely, enough of it carries sufficient force to push those rocks out of its way. Or, given enough time, it will carve its own channel through those same rocks. Its movement can be terrifyingly fast or glacially slow. Its power and sublime beauty can be seen in present day storms, in gently flowing streams, cascading down waterfalls, or carving deep canyons over the course of millions of years.