The girl was very wise: "What about the asteroid collision. Can humans survive it?"
"Unfortunately there is no hope. Even most insect species will vanish within a year."
"Is it like the irreversible process?"
"Yes. Exactly. How did you learn about the irreversible process?"
"My mother taught me. For example if you burn a piece of paper there is no way to bring it back. It is a consequence of the second law of thermodynamics."
The scientist was astonished by the girl's intelligence. "Wow! Let me be the one to ask the questions then."
The girl's eyes opened wide with joy: "OK"
"Can a species survive in isolation? Yes or no? Also why?"
"No. Because species co-evolve."
"What does that mean?"
"It means evolution of species depend on one another."
"Well, I was asking about survival but your reasoning was about evolution. Isn't that odd?"
"No. Because the mechanisms underlying evolution and survival are inseparable."
"Oh! I was impressed. Let me ask you something which I haven't still figured out. This question is the reason that brought us here."
"I know it. You came here to search the meaning of life."
"Yes. Did you ever think about that?"
"I've been thinking about it since I lost my mother. She taught me everything she knew in a hurry as if she was aware how short her life was going to be. She was trying to bring meaning to her students' lives. So I came to a conclusion that the meaning of life was to bring meaning to life. Also I thought life had no meaning unless we brought meaning to it."
YOU ARE READING
The Return of Dragon of Mohenjo-Daro
Short StoryWhat would people do in their last 24 hours when an asteroid is about to hit and destroy life? This story is a last minute search for the meaning of life. It is a political and an environmental criticism melted in one pot.
