Neanderthals

As the man approached the door, his heart was racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had never been out of town to fix an electric device before, and the thought of it made him anxious. However, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door, hesitantly calling out the owner's name before swinging it open. To his surprise and disappointment, he found the owner of the house lying on the floor amidst scattered bottles. He was immediately worried and tried to wake him up. As he was doing so, he heard a loud noise coming from the fridge, confusing beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He slowly opened the fridge door and was astonished by what he found inside.

As he opened the freezer door, he was surprised to see that there was a whole miniature civilization thriving inside it! It was as if an entire world had been created within the confines of the freezer. The tiny people living there seemed to be going about their daily lives, with pocket sized huts, markets, and even tiny wolves. The tiny structures exhibited architectural diversity, reflecting a level of sophistication that mirrored a scaled-down version of the macrocosm. The attention to detail was incredible, with every aspect of the midget world carefully crafted and thought out. The intricacy of the scene was mind-boggling, and he couldn't help but stare in wonder at this incredible discovery. It was as if he had stepped into another world. But he quickly remembered why he had come there, i.e., to repair the fridge. When he tried waking the owner up, he inquired about the fridge’s unusual behaviour. The bewildered owner, unaware of the situation, apologized for his state. The man explained everything to the owner, but he didn't believe him. To convince him, the man forced him to take a look inside the freezer, and he agreed to the story, not because he believed it, but to respect the man's convictions.

As they slowly approached the fridge, the owner instructed the man to open the freezer, and he obliged. Upon opening it, they observed miniature figures diligently carrying out their tasks. Every once in a while, the figures would notice the presence of the giants or the so-called gods. The owner chose not to repair the fridge, but instead marvelled at the beauty of the miniature world inside.

For hours on end, they found themselves utterly captivated by the enchanting spectacle of minuscule figures meticulously toiling away on intricate clothing. These tiny artisans, no larger than a fingertip, exhibited a remarkable semblance of humanity as they delicately manipulated bone needles through the miniature fabric. The careful craftsmanship and dedication to their tasks mirrored the diligence and artistry of full-sized human artisans, lending an unexpected depth to the diminutive scene. They stand in awe at the miniature world's economy and discussed the current state of the economy, it dawned on them that the tiny world they were observing was operating on a precise 2-hour cycle.

Curiosity sparked within them as they pondered whether the diminutive inhabitants of this frozen world could fathom the presence of their macroscopic observers. With an eager wave and attempts at conversation, they sought a connection with the miniature figures, only to find that their efforts were futile, Occasionally, they would glance in their direction, prompting the man to attempt eavesdropping on their conversations. In one overheard exchange, a tiny figure expressed a casual disdain for the perceived giants. "Oi, these giants keep looking at us. Don't they have anything better to do? Lazy bastards" quipped the diminutive voice to its companion, who wholeheartedly agreed. It was a peculiar blend of humour and criticism that hinted at a vibrant social dynamic within the miniature society.

That evening, the man made the decision to bid farewell to the owner. Later that night, the owner found out that the fridge was not functioning properly and that it needed immediate attention to prevent any damage to the miniatures living inside. In a state of panic, the owner contacted the man, who was swift in his response and arrived at the scene in no time. After conducting a thorough inspection, the man diagnosed the issue as a short circuit and assured the owner that it could be fixed in a few minutes once it was located. He then proceeded to repair the fridge immediately, ensuring that the miniatures would be safe and sound.

The question lingered in their minds did the figures endure the ordeal? Fortunately, they did. Gone were the days of mere survival, a transformation had occurred, and with it came an ideal shift in their existence. As the sun cast its golden glow upon the rejuvenated world, a tapestry of vibrant colours unfolded before their eyes. They delved into the art of agriculture with an enthusiasm that echoed through the ages. The figures, now resembling artisans of the Earth, cultivated wild cereals with meticulous care. Each furrow in the soil was a testament to their newfound connection with the land, a bond forged through the crucible of necessity. Women, adorned in attire adorned with the fruits of their labour, moved gracefully among the crops. They were the custodians of the man's offspring, nurturing the future with a tenderness that transcended the trials of the past. In the distance, the figures harnessed the strength of mighty beasts, turning the once wild and untamed landscape into a canvas of order. Cattle, now loyal companions in their journey of cultivation, ploughed the land under the watchful eyes of the figures. As the figures looked upon their evolved kin, there was a profound sense of accomplishment. The miniatures that once struggled for survival had metamorphosed into beings with a spark of divinity. A tale told by the land they now called home.

As days passed, the owner's drinking habits persisted, and he found solace in observing the miniatures, feeling like their god. The owner's negligence to the outside world had consequences, bills went unpaid, and the electricity office, left with no choice, decided to sever the power supply. He eventually settled the overdue bills. The weight of neglect hung heavily upon him as he grappled with the consequences of forgetting to pay those crucial bills, realizing that his oversight could have shattered the delicate balance of his world. As he cautiously peered into the freezer, a sense of foreboding gripped him. It now appeared empty, devoid of the bustling miniature world that had once thrived within. The frozen expanse now resembled nothing more than an ordinary, unassuming machine, concealing the mysteries of its frosty interior. The sudden absence of the miniature society left unanswered questions lingering in the air, creating an enigmatic void that hinted at untold narratives and unforeseen consequences.