Robert’s Universe (Flash Fiction)
By well-wisher
- 4821 reads
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”.
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Comments
Brilliant - love this well
Brilliant - love this well-wisher!
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Lots of food for thought here
Lots of food for thought here.
Enjoyed this.
Lindy
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This is very well written and
This is very well written and cleverly done. Reminded me of a computer game I used to play called Age of Empires (I was a very benign creator/god and used to cry when my little people were massacred). It reminds of the 'watchmaker' analogy of a divine creator, which I don't subscribe to, but it was an interesting story all the same.
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I was going to comment on
I was going to comment on your conversation with Jesus about Je suis Charlie, but you've taken it down. I thought it was an interesting idea. I was wondering if you felt comfortable imagining/writing dialogue between yourself and Jesus, safe in the knowledge that Christians, even if they took offense, would be unlikely to react strongly? I am a Christian, but found it funny to hear Jesus quote Sean Connery!
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That's ok. I commented on it
That's ok. I commented on it anyway! Jesus advised his followers to be wise and harmless - not sure posting obviously controversial cartoons is prudent or guileless behaviour.
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Very good, cleverly done. I
Very good, cleverly done. I enjoyed it!
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This is our Facebook and
This is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day!
Get a great reading recommendation most days
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Excellent little piece!
Food for thought, at some have pointed out. The very last part adds an extra dimension to it.
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I just read this with a smile
The artfulness, mastery, of harnessing a hand full of paragraphs in a story line with vast meaning, we can all relate to in a small localized, personal domain setting, delivering the big picture.....
I keep learning here at ABC... And this piece sent me to school with a smile.
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