Robert’s Universe (Flash Fiction)

In the beginning, Robert created a universe; a small universe; small enough to fit into his bedroom but to the tiny people who lived in a tiny earth in the corner of Robert’s universe it was as gigantic as Roberts universe was to him.

And, at first, Robert was happy watching the people of his little Earth evolve from apes, develop farming techniques and printing and other things; build cities and create civilisations and it made him chuckle when the tiny people would create religions and pray to him, although they always got his name wrong and fight wars of religion which, to him, looked strange and cartoonish, like tiny ants fighting.

But then the tiny people started to become atheists.

Robert you see, had built his model universe based upon his own universe; an exact replica in miniature with all the same natural laws and so, just as the people of his earth could find no evidence of a creator; the tiny people of his tiny Earth could not find evidence of him.

But something about that troubled Robert. You see, if he existed in spite of the fact that the little people on his model planet Earth could find no evidence of him, then the absence of evidence for God in his own universe couldn’t be reliable proof that God did not exist.

“But I suppose I could give them proof”, said Robert, “If I want to be worshipped as a God by them, that is but wow, that’s a big responsibility, being a God; answering all their problems. It’s much easier just leaving them to look after themselves”.

But that too troubled Robert, because now he wondered if perhaps there might not be a creator of his universe looking down at him and thinking exactly the same thing, “Should I give them proof or not?” and deciding, “It’s easier for me if I don’t”.

Just then however, something even more bizarre happened.

For, in a tiny bedroom, in a tiny house in a tiny city within a tiny replica of the United Kingdom he saw a tiny Robert making a universe in his bedroom and, scratching his tiny head, looking up at the sky and wondering.

“Whatever you decide, tiny Robert”, said Robert, smiling, “That’s what I’ll do as well”.