286 The Greatest Man in the World

Colin stood as the greatest man in the world. He knew it. When you are the greatest man in the world, how could you not? He was young, strong, and handsome—the world, his oyster.

He continued on in his stature until one fateful day he met someone even greater. He was aghast.

In a way he was relieved. Being the greatest man in the world carries a lot of responsibility. You have to remain sharp. You have to remain vigilant for the next greatest man in the world with designs to knock you off of your self-erected erection.

"I stand in awe," Colin told the newest greatest man in the world. "I never thought this would happen." The new greatest man only laughed at him, having every right to do just that.

Colin still figured prominently in the Pantheon of great men. But as the years went by, he was continually re-assigned position. When he saw the man who had replaced him get replaced himself, he was less chagrined at his falling another place down the hierarchy as he was elated to see the hero take a fall.

Colin laughed at him.

Colin witnessed many great of the greatest men in the world dominate, then fall. With each, he laughed again, as if laughter would buffer his fall.

Once Colin passed into his 80th year, he assessed his position in the world demographic. There were about 150 million people that age or older, alive in the world, about 2% of the global population. Each day, as he grew older, he became a member of a dwindling demographic.

He knew if he lived long enough, he'd once again reach a solitary status, like how he began. Would it be different? That was up to him: how to parlay his uniqueness.

He finally reached that pinnacle: the oldest and onliest living man. A demographic of one.

He was interviewed and gave nonsense answers. Asked what his secret was, he responded with only gibberish. But he was proud, still able to stand, albeit with a cane.

When Colin died, he was not mourned, because everyone else moved up a notch. News to those like Colin: And so it goes.

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AUTHOR'S NOTES:

For Saturday, October 12, Day 286 of the 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge

Companion piece to "The Worst Man in the World," Story-of-the-Day #287.

366 WORDS (without A/N)

80 DAYS TO GO! THIS CHALLENGE FIRES ON, 366 NOTCHES A DAY.

There are currently three Vocal writers remaining in this bullet-proof 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge:

• L.C. Schäfer (Ageless)

• Rachel Deeming (Wise beyond her years)

• Gerard DiLeo (Born yesterday)