What Would you Say...

     He stood in front of me, tall, commanding, yet emanating a feeling of warmth and calm.  “I have come from a star system close to yours.   I have been sent to evaluate whether your people are ready to join the galactic council.   But I have been sorely disappointed.” 
“We are in the midst of a lot of change.”  I felt like I was pleading with him.  Like I was trying to justify humanity. 
“When I first arrived on your planet military forces from many countries tried to take me into custody.  They even stopped fighting one of their many wars to try to capture of kill me. 
And speaking of wars, your people seem to thrive on killing each other.  Also there are those on your planet who are so poor that they are starving and dying of disease and yet a small percentage of humans have so much more of your money that they cannot possibly use it all in one lifetime.   In addition your planet cries out to the universe over what you have done to her, let alone what you have done to each other on her.”
I bowed my head.  “Why did you come to me?  There is nothing I can add to what you already know.  I’m sure you can complete your report.”
“I sensed something different from you.   There are others like you.  I wanted to hear what you had to say about your people before I made my report.”
“There is little more that I can tell you.”  I told him, raising my head to look him in the eye.  “There are changes taking place.  There are many people who are tired of war.  They can no longer deal with the sadness of death and violence, the hunger and homelessness.  Can you see that?  There are changes taking place.  It may take a generation or more but things are changing.  And the number of us is growing.   I can make no excuse for my people.  I too am tired of the violence and the poverty.  I am tired of the pain we cause each other and the destruction we do to our planet.  Humans are stubborn but many are learning.  It will happen.  The changes are happening.”
“That is why I wanted to talk to you.” He said gently”,  The galactic council will continue to monitor this small primitive planet.  In time we will return.   It is time that I leave now.” 
He turned and walked away.  But then turned, with one last admonishment.  “Your people will never be allowed to go out in space until they can be peaceful and trustworthy.”  He turned and continued walking away and a few meters from me he stepped into an energy vortex, like a tornado, and disappeared.