Dear Xkikostraphitamotria,
I must regretfully inform you of the rejection of your application for membership to the Interplanetary League of Sentient Organisms. The Interplanetary League of Sentient Organisms is currently evaluating its criteria for membership which, at the present time, excludes photosynthetic organisms lacking in mobility. Should we update our criteria to include such organisms in the future, we would be happy to reconsider your application if you would be interested in re-applying.
Yours sincerely, Phi Manta Sirius Director of Invertebrate Relations
Dear Xkikostraphitamotria,
You’d like it here on Atilia 3. The light of our prime star burns a deep effervescent blue, and at sunrise, the sky turns a plasmic green - it’s truly beautiful. The bliss I feel when that first light of morning hits my unfurling tendrils is like nothing I can describe. Do you take similar joy in your morning sun? What shade does it burn? How does its light feel on your bracts?
You might be wondering why I’m writing to you. I came across your letter to the editor in the Interplanetary Examiner and was buoyed to learn of your battle to gain recognition for the sentience of non-mobile photosynthetic organisms.
I just wanted you to know that in this great galaxy of ours there are other minds like you and your kin, taking joyful sustenance from the light of a sun star, loving the unmoving earth beneath their bodies, fighting for the sentience of their groundlings. Xkiko — (can I call you that?) — though we do not share the same soil, I think I may love you, just a little.
May light shine and soil sustain,
Scion 8901020 ‘Vissella’
First Stalk of the Andal Forrest