[quietly, watching this river and thinking of another one]

The role of a mountain god in my world-- is to be the heart, connected by the nerves to every living thing that makes it up. The insects, the trees-- fishes, birds, plants. Animals large and small. The rivers and the weather.

The god feels and experiences every part of this; living and dying [a slight pause, before he repeats her words, exactly] in ways that cannot be taught.

[The implication is clear.

And it reminds him of you.]