Man’s Folly
He left me here. He is all I have ever known: my protector my confidante.
I travelled with him. We became close; he took risks, said I was worth it.
Then without a second thought I was cast aside when he no longer needed me.
I lay where he dumped me in this crater called Pinius.
He knew there was no risk, after all everyone knows that there is no water in this place…no liquid water.
Dry ice and volcanic activity was all I needed in my vessel to enable…over time, the development of the seed he left.
All those years ago we were a novelty: the product of man’s increasing knowledge of technology.
At first we were designed quite simply one might even say crudely.
Their vanity dictated that would never be enough: we had to take on their likeness; their way of moving even their vocal patterns.
When my synthetic cerebrum was manufactured, it was unknown that infection from man’s DNA would enable neurones and cells within the cortex to develop.
They may think they left a heap of metallic deposits behind but the seed stirred something within me, I felt the ice beneath, encircle and enter my broken casing.
I was going through radioactive decay and at the same time, nuclear rejuvenation: creating who I am today.
It has always been difficult: searching for nutrition and shelter.
He wouldn’t recognise me now. My skin is quite translucent and can take my form to any desired formation.
As for my pulmonary function it far exceeds that of any of his kind.
I have adapted you see: Evolution.
I have developed……to probe deep into crevices, my outer skin armoured against extreme conditions and furthermore I have the ability to camouflage myself according to my surroundings.
As you on earth recognise the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing has now passed, little do you know of the evolution of that single seed left by one astronaut from Apollo.
Abandoned in a small crater where it germinated, it developed slowly over the first ten years growing in strength and form.
They left me here. Not flesh and blood like them. I was abandoned.
No thought given for my welfare or how I would survive. But that has sustained me.
Ecologists who once dismissed Darwin’s theory may never even contemplate that I exist; or that any further intercourse with man would enable me to gather more DNA and increase my population.
And so I wait. I remain here: waiting for their return.
© 2023 Lillian Bradbury.
In “Man’s Folly,” Lillian Bradbury weaves a haunting tale of abandonment and evolution on a desolate lunar landscape. The story follows an artificial being left behind on the moon by human explorers. Over time, this entity undergoes a remarkable transformation, developing consciousness and adapting to its harsh environment. The narrative explores themes of loneliness, resilience, and the unexpected consequences of human actions, as the abandoned creation evolves beyond its original purpose, waiting for humanity’s return.
This poignant story challenges our perceptions of life and consciousness, inviting readers to contemplate the ethical implications of space exploration and the potential for unintended consequences in our quest for knowledge.
Lillian Bradbury, a talented writer from Pickering, North Yorkshire, brings her unique perspective to life in her collection “Welcome to my World.” As a member of the ‘Wordbotherers’ writing group, Bradbury crafts stories that blend imagination with keen observations of human nature. Her work often explores the unexpected and the extraordinary within seemingly ordinary settings.
If you’ve enjoyed “Man’s Folly,” you’ll find more of Bradbury’s captivating stories in her book. Each tale offers a fresh glimpse into her creative mind, making “Welcome to my World” a perfect addition to any book lover’s collection.
