This story was inspired by a book entitled, "Definitely Maybe" by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky dealing with the unknown influences of the universe on humanity.
A school of trout lived in the shade of bridge that spanned a mountain stream—but what is a bridge to a fish?
In discussing the origin of their universe, one fish declared that they should thank the creator for the structure that protected them from the heat of the sun and the threat of predatory birds, and for the depth and breadth of the pool that comprised their world. Another fish countered by saying that the protective structure had, by happenstance, fallen across a wide part of the stream where the current had etched away at the river banks, and that they should thank their ancestors for the wisdom to move into the cold, deep waters in the shade and safety that now comprised their world. The two fish argued about the origin of the universe and its beauty and safety. The argument became heated and more fish joined in adding that it was too beautiful and perfect to happen by chance—it must have been created by an omniscient being who understood the needs and desires of trout. Other fish said that there was no proof of it being created and that without proof they credited their good fortune to their grandparents who swam down steam from the falls above and settled in this perfect place. A fingerling trout was frustrated with all the arguing and decided to look beyond the edges of the universe and see if there were answers to be found beyond the shade and safety of the deep cool pool. Without the protection of the pool, he was quickly caught in the current of the mountain stream and was swept downstream. Fortunately he was small and agile and he safely negotiated the rocks and rapids. Several days later he found himself in a wide pool where the flow of two streams joined. As he explored this new world he looked to the banks of the pool and observed air breathing beings that walked on land, and they were building structures at the edge of the water. He found it difficult to get oxygen from the warm water and missed the cool mountain home of his ancestors. There were other fish who seemed to enjoy the warmth of this pool and he talked with these large strange looking fish that ate from the bottom of the pool. Despite their mouths being full of detritus they told the little trout about the beings that lived out of water, and the trout learned of their inability to get oxygen from water and their need to build structures that span the rivers and streams in order to cross. He reasoned that they had built the shady pool of his ancestors. The strange fish also told the little trout how the air breathers had slowed the stream causing it to warm and how the cold water trout had moved away going further upstream to the reach colder high oxygen waters. The little trout learned about the pressure that had forced his ancestors further upstream. With his new found knowledge he knew that he must now face the strong currents and bring new insights back to his family and friends. It took him a year of battling the current to get back to his home, and when he arrived, he was greeted by is friends and family. He told them what he had learned and warned them of the potential effects of the air breathers on the water world of the trout. His words were met with disbelief and he was ridiculed for being a nonbeliever and a fool. How could such beauty and truth be due to air breathing beasts who could destroy the world of the trout? The little trout was called a heretic and exiled. As he and his family swam upstream from his ancestral home, he was startled by the shadows of woven nets being tossed into the pool by air breathers—his warnings unheeded by other trout.
What is a bridge to a fish… …what is the cosmos to a human?
