Finding itself in the proud sea, its own element, the water conceived a longing to rise above the air; and, encouraged by the element of fire, it lifted itself as a fine vapour, almost as subtle as the air. Having climbed high, it reached air more thin and cold, where it was abandoned by the fire. And the tiny grains, being pressed together, at once unite and grow heavy, and as they fall the pride is turned to flight, and it drops from the sky; whereupon it was drunk up by the dry earth, where, long imprisoned, it did penance for its sin.