The Egg: A short story

You were heading home when you met your demise—a car accident, nothing particularly intriguing. Nevertheless, it proved fatal, but at least it was painless. The paramedics exerted their utmost efforts to save you, but their attempts were in vain. Your body lay shattered and broken. Death was the better outcome... Trust me. That's when our paths crossed.

"What happened?" you asked, disoriented.

"You died," I replied bluntly, without embellishment.

"There was... there was a truck, and it was sliding," you stammered.

"Yes," I confirmed.

"I... I died?" you sought confirmation.

"Yes," I affirmed. "But don't dwell on it; everyone dies."

Looking around, there was nothing but you and me. You inquired, "What is this place? Is this the afterlife?"

"To some extent," I responded.

"Are you God?" you asked cautiously.

"Yes, I am God," I confirmed.

"My children, my wife..." you started to worry.

"What about them?" I inquired.

"Will they be okay?" you expressed concern.

"That's what I like to hear," I remarked. "Even in death, your main concern is your family, and that's commendable."

You gazed at me, perplexed. To you, I didn't appear as a god but rather a regular person, perhaps a figure of authority. "Don't worry," I assured you. "They will be fine. Your children will hold onto perfect memories of you. They haven't had the chance to grow resentful yet. Your wife will mourn your loss outwardly but secretly feel a certain relief. To be honest, your marriage was falling apart... If it brings you any solace, she will feel guilty about finding comfort."

"So, what happens now? Will I go to heaven or hell?" you inquired.

"Neither. You will be reborn," I revealed.

"So, the Hindus were right?" you pondered.

"All religions hold their own truths," I explained.

"Walk with me," I invited, and you followed as we strolled through the emptiness.

"Where are we going?" you asked, seeking direction.

"Not to any particular place, but it's good to converse while walking," I replied.

"What's the point then? When I'm reborn, I'll start anew, like a blank sheet of paper, right? A baby... So, everything I've experienced and accomplished in this life won't matter," you reasoned.

"Not quite," I corrected. "You carry within you all the knowledge and experiences of your past lives, although you don't remember them at present."

We halted our steps, and I placed my hand on your shoulder. "Your soul is vast, magnificent, and far beyond what you can comprehend. The human mind can only contain a fraction of your truth. It's akin to dipping your finger into a glass of water to check its temperature. When you remove your finger, you gain the experiences it had. You've been human for the past 48 years, so you haven't fully expanded, nor have you felt the rest of your immense consciousness. If we spend enough time here, you will start to remember everything. But there's no need to do that between every life."

"How many times have I been reincarnated then?" you asked curiously.

"Many... many, many, many, many different lives. This time, you will be a Chinese peasant girl in the year 540 A.D.," I revealed.

"Wait! What? You're sending me back in time?" you exclaimed.

"Technically... time, as you perceive it, exists only within your universe. It differs from where I come from," I clarified.

"Where... where do

you come from?" you inquired, craving answers.

"Indeed, I come from somewhere else, a different realm. There are others like me. However, I'm afraid you wouldn't comprehend that place," I responded.

"Oh," you sighed, slightly frustrated. "But wait, if I've been reincarnated at different points in time, is it possible that I've interacted with myself at some point?"

"Of course! It happens all the time. Since each life is only aware of its current existence, you wouldn't even realize it," I explained.

"Then what's the purpose of all this?" you asked, searching for meaning.

I met your gaze and replied, "The meaning of life, the reason I created this entire universe, is for you to evolve."

"You mean humanity? You want us to evolve?" you inquired.

"No, just you. I created this entire universe for you. With each new life, it expands and matures into greater intelligence," I clarified.

"Just me? What about everyone else?" you questioned.

"There is no one else in this universe, just you and me," I stated, and you stared at me, bewildered. "But what about all the people on Earth?" you asked, puzzled.

"They are all you, different incarnations of yourself," I declared.

"Wait! I am everyone?!" you exclaimed, overwhelmed by the revelation.

"Now you're beginning to understand," I acknowledged.

"I am every person who has lived or will live?" you sought confirmation.

"Yes," I affirmed. "You are Abraham Lincoln!"

"And you are John Wilkes Booth!" you realized.

"I'm Hitler!" you gasped.

"And you are the millions he has killed," I said, disgust in my tone.

"I am Jesus!" you said, a sense of calm washing over you.

"And you are all those who followed him," I reassured. "Every time you hurt someone, you hurt yourself. Every good deed you've done, you've done for yourself. Every moment of sadness and happiness felt by any human being, past or future, was or will be experienced by you."

Silence hung in the air as you contemplated for a while. "Why? Why all of this?" you finally asked.

"Because one day, you will become like me. Because that's who you are. You are a part of me, my child," I explained.

"Wow! So, I'm a god?" you questioned skeptically.

"No, not yet. You are an embryo. You are still growing. Until you have lived every human life throughout time, until you have grown old and wise enough, you will be reborn," I clarified.

"So, the entire universe is just an 'egg,'" you concluded.

"Now, it's time for you to move on to your next life," I stated, and I sent you off.