The Egg by Andy Weir.
Galactanet / Andy Weir, 2009.
“You were on your way home when you died.”
An individual finds themself in a very disorienting existence, addressed by what at first seems a disembodied voice. Questions and enigmatic answers ensue as the individual tries to get a handle on what has just happened and what may happen next.
The Egg is very short story that has the potential to realign one’s perspective on our likely significance as individuals – granted, it may be only a little bit and only for a little while – but it’s nevertheless worth trying out.
And don’t worry if you’re not religious – I’m not – as it may yet help you catch a glimpse of something quintessential about yourself.
A five-minute free read here: https://galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html
I read this in anticipation of attending what turned out to be a superb performance of The Egg, an engaging (and tonal!) one-act cantata composed by Tomos Owen Jones. Based on Andy Weir’s text it was given its second ever performance at this year’s Crickhowell Music Festival, in early May, by a pair of singers and seven-strong chamber ensemble.
Calmgrove 
Interesting post!
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Short and sweet! But I hope you read the Andy Weir story too. 🙂
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A recent post – The Baby Egg (153 words): https://wordpress.com/post/liebjabberings.wordpress.com/10443
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Possibly that was the wrong link, and this one works: The Baby Egg
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Thanks for this, Alicia, a perfectly formed short story which works so well from start to surprise end and packs a wealth of ideas into its 153 words to give one pause for thought.
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Thanks – I tried to pack a lot into a small space. It’s almost a Drabble – 100 words.
I did children the hard way. That helped me write it – but I’ve always wondered if the results would be that disconnected end.
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Oh, an early piece by Weir. Interesting!
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I feel bad that I still have The Martian languishing on my shelves, so thank goodness I had this as a start!
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Hmm, I think The Martian is much better and Project Hail Mary is much, much better!
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I enjoyed the film of The Martian so I’m not sure why I’m delaying reading it. Because too much else is crying out for attention …
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Thanks for your post. “The Egg” was a really interesting read. I really enjoyed “The Martian”, didn’t really enjoy “Artemis” but loved “Project Hail Mary” so, overall, I think I do like Weir.
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I’ve heard good things about Project Hail Mary so I think I’d like to try that after The Martian. Glad you found this short story interesting – it really worked well in this cantata adaptation, especially as the quiet humour was brought out to leaven any philosophical profundity.
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I’ve never read Weir, but I’ll definitely pop over and check out the story!!
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It’s one of the shortest of short stories, so in your case will take no longer than drawing breath will take you. 😁
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What an interesting idea: I remember hearing someone liken the universe/life concept to ocean and water drops that make it up–each part of the ocean but also with its distinctness. This had me thinking of that.
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I guess that Buddhism has known all about this for a couple of so millennia – the West only lately catching up! My miniscule understanding suggests Weir’s ideas are loosely equivalent to ātman merging with brahmā, but also to Arthur Koestler’s notion that every organic entity is a holon, outward- as well as inward-looking, individual and yet an integral part of a bigger whole.
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Yes, I think the atman/brahma/bramand idea seems to fit with what this story is trying to explore and it makes sense too–though I do still wonder about the extremes that make up the one.
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Love a short story that gets to the point! A lovely philosophical way to start my Monday morning 🙂
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Bendigedig, Brona! Or as some say in West Wales, Splendigedig!
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Thank you *quickly runs off to check the meaning of Splendigedig* 🙂
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Splendid + brilliant!
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