One couple of all existing species had been summoned to the meeting. Nobody knew the reason for it, but as they gathered, rumors started circulating. Words such as “wrath” and “punishment” were whispered, and several of the animals started worrying. The cats felt ashamed for their habit of chasing mice just for fun, the bears for robbing honey from bees, the cuckoos for putting their eggs in other birds’ nests, and a female spider for her nasty habit of snatching her husband’s head off after copulating. 

 The two humans were casually speculating.

– I think He’ll exterminate all those that aren’t edible, the woman said. Why keep them? They don’t serve any purpose. 

– I wish He would wipe out all the dangerous species, the man answered. Crocodiles, scorpions, mosquitos, and lions. And bugs! I hate bugs!

Suddenly, an intense light illuminated the sky and a thunderous voice shook everybody, even the invertebrates, to the bones. 

– I AM your omnipresent Creator!

The rabbits started trembling.

– I gave you an earthly Elysium!

The donkeys stared blankly at each other.

– I created cyclic changes with constantly renewed supplies of food, fresh water, and clean air, sufficient for everybody’s needs!

The humans agreed, nodding and smiling.

– But one species has broken My Holy Balance! With their megalomania, greed, and egocentricity they are causing devastation, threatening life itself!

The humans stopped smiling.

 – Therefore, I have decided to adjust My Creation! 

A deafening “SO BE IT!!!”, seemingly coming from everywhere, followed. Then, darkness and a compact silence fell over the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

At dawn, a Bengal tiger located a slender deer grazing in the high grass, a Chinese giant panda found a fresh, juicy bamboo shoot, and a male Emperor penguin carefully checked the egg lying on his feet.

No featherless biped was to be seen anywhere, but in the oceans, members of a previously unknown species appeared. They looked like oversized, grey, soft walnuts, supplied with a single, desperately staring eye.

With no limbs, they were aimlessly and harmlessly drifting around. All they were capable of doing was watching, remembering, and thinking. 

They were thinking really hard… 

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    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    5 months ago

    Great story, Christer. I’ve been saying for years that the world would be better off if the human race had never emerged! I’m very much in agreement with your omnipresent Creator!

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    5 months ago

    From Elysium to resembling a giant walnut like creature with only the abilities to watch and think! Christer, you have painted a powerful picture of Noah’s ark in reverse.
    Yet right up to the end, humans were too arrogant to think that they were to blame and would be punished.

    Julian
    Julian(@julian)
    5 months ago

    You certainly captured the arrogance of mankind Christer, well done.

    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    5 months ago

    A fantastic way to re-imagine the Noah’s Ark, Christer! I loved the description of the doubt descending on all animals, their re-thinking of their sins. The final organisms leave me with the idea that their evolution is just the new beginning… after all that’s how it all started, wasn’t it?

    Chris
    Chris(@chris)
    5 months ago

    Hi Christer – As I drink my morning tea, your story is also quite refreshing. Just like you mentioned “members of a previously unknown species”, I have also been thinking really hard, for many years, specifically about clean air. I have also come to the same conclusion, as you stated “one species has broken My Holy Balance! With their megalomania, greed, and egocentricity they are causing devastation, threatening life itself!” It seems… Read more »

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    4 months ago

    The arrogance of the humans really resonated with me, Christer. A hard hitting, thought provoking story.

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    4 months ago

    I thoroughly enjoyed your story, Christer, and agreed with the Creator! My Clean Air story also removed the humans to allow our planet to thrive. I like the fact that many of our new, younger members had wonderful suggestions and ideas for healing what ails us. I hope they are right and we older folk are wrong!

    Alan Kemister
    Alan Kemister(@alan-kemister)
    4 months ago

    Hello Christer, you present a very depressing picture of our future. I agree with your picture of humans as a collective as arrogant and as total ignorant of the natural world. But, your depiction isn’t accurate for so many individual humans. Are we all to be banished to your one-eyed walnut purgatory? If there really was an omnipotent creator, I think she would have the sense to ban the human institutions, not… Read more »

    Chris
    Chris(@chris)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    4 months ago

    Hi Christer – You said above “There are so many people doing what they can to improve the environmental situation and they certainly deserve acknowledgment for their work. Greta Thunberg is one example that I used in a previous story with this theme” I am not sure, but it also seems that there is an opposing force who actively denounce the work of people such as Greta Thunberg. I do not really… Read more »

    Chris
    Chris(@chris)
    Reply to  Alan Kemister
    4 months ago

    Hi Alan – You asked above “But, your depiction isn’t accurate for so many individual humans. Are we all to be banished to your one-eyed walnut purgatory? If there really was an omnipotent creator, I think she would have the sense to ban the human institutions, not the humans.” Unfortunately, Yes, we will all suffer the affects of climate change. All innocent people and especially disadvantaged populations will suffer, and in fact… Read more »

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    4 months ago

    A well-told story. We, the humans, deserved all the punishment and wrath from our omnipresent Creator above after all that we did to all His beautiful and balanced creation. Well done.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    4 months ago

    You are right, Christer. We should learn to be happier without destroying anything. Everybody should adjust to save the world. 

    Deborah Goulding
    Deborah Goulding(@deborah-goulding)
    4 months ago

    Christer, I’m new here to voice.club. I am reading a few or more stories daily. I’m enjoying everyone’s writing style, etc. This read is understatedly great! The level of accountability you have created is met with a great understanding of how each of us can do better in even the smallest of changes for a healthier planet. I try to see the best in everything!

    Deborah Goulding
    Deborah Goulding(@deborah-goulding)
    Reply to  Christer Norrlof
    4 months ago

    Omg, Christer, I’m still a work in progress! My sincere compliment to you, should have been described as “Great!” It was not understated in any way! Need a vacay soon, Lol.

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