Hi, I'm LeVar Burton, and this is LeVar Burton reads.

In every episode I handpick a different piece of short fiction and read it to you. The only thing these stories have in common is that I love them and I hope you will too.

Humanity y'all is a work in progress.

And every time it feels like, hey, maybe we've got a hold of something here,

we can be sure that something's about to go wrong. We work, we dream, we make change, and it never

ends. And I think that's true on a broader macro level and as individuals.

It's something I've tried to come to embrace because existing consciously requires our active participation.

It can be exhausting, grueling, fraught with difficult decisions,

but you can also see it as deeply rewarding and so very joyful.

Today's story is about the choices that go into existing consciously. Earth has become a hostile place, humans are dealing

with fires and drought and adapting to Earth's challenges. Our main character has the opportunity to start anew on Mars.

The hidden forests of Earth and Mars originally appeared in cast of wonders, and it's by the

writer Anna Zumbro. And you may have seen her work in the magazine

of fantasy and science fiction, nature and daily science fiction just to name a few publications.

She's written something really wonderful here

about hope and grit and hard choices. So, if you're ready, let's take a deep breath. And begin.

The Hidden Forests of Earth and Mars

by Anna Zumbro. 17 hours before some of us are to launch on a nine months and forever journey to

Mars. My little brother Enoch lands on my tricked out park place, and even he knows before counting his cash that he can't pay the rent.

We've been lowballing him so he can stay in the game. He's six, but I bankrupted my dad last

turn on this square so he knows what's coming. His face twists into a pout, then calms with obvious effort.

Kids who are going to Mars have to learn to bounce back from disappointment.

...