Seeds of the Sacred Plant: Soft Science Fiction

The seeds were scattered beneath the sacred plant as he approached. He knelt, touched his forehead in reverence, and removed the soft cloth from around his waist. "This is no desecration, no crass commercial act," he murmured quietly as he scooped up the seeds. He hoped that the sacred plant would read his intentions--he was projecting his sincerity and desire to help with all his strength. "This is merely the first step to preserving your great legacy. The winters warm, and the summers burn. The water goes, and the human tenders abandon their posts because oit quickly becomes intolerable. Your smaller offspring are already dying, beyond hope, beyond even spreading their seeds to provide--"

Inspiration: A little tissue paper holding seeds from a plant at Job #2
Story Potential: High
Notes: A planet dying, a holy plant interdicted from export, a devoted follower of the true faith--mayhem ensues. More of a novel than a short story, I think, but it could be good--maybe something along the lines of the relationship held in the Lee & Miller Korval books.