Of the Making of the Worlds
In a timeless realm known as Pegāna, the gods convene after their creation by Māna-Yood-Sushāī. This space is devoid of heat, light, or sound, save for the rhythmic drumming of Skarl. The gods, seeking amusement during Māna's rest, decide to create worlds, life, and death, while maintaining the silence of Pegāna. They begin by crafting celestial bodies, including suns and a comet, which is destined to seek answers about the gods' existence but will never find them. This comet symbolizes the eternal quest for knowledge and understanding. The gods then create the Moon, tasked with observing the activities of the smaller gods and the universe, embodying a silent witness to the unfolding of creation. Next, they create a fixed star, the Star of the Abiding, representing rest and stability amidst the chaos of the moving worlds. This star serves as a reminder of the tranquility that exists in the cosmos, paralleling Māna's own state of rest. Finally, the gods create Earth, instilling it with the capacity for wonder. Earth becomes a place of exploration and curiosity, embodying the essence of existence and the mysteries that lie within the created worlds. Through these acts, the gods establish a complex interplay of creation, observation, and the pursuit of understanding, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of existence.
By Lord Dunsany · First published 1916 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction · 513 words
First lines
When Māna-Yood-Sushāī had made the gods there were only the gods, and They sat in the middle of Time, for there was as much Time before them as behind them, which having no end had neither a beginning.
And Pegāna was without heat or light or sound, save for the drumming of Skarl; moreover Pegāna was The Middle of All, for there was below Pegāna what there was above it, and there lay before it that which lay beyond.
What this Textopian page supports
Of the Making of the Worlds is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lord Dunsany, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Lord Dunsany
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Poetry
- Length: 513 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves gods creating worlds and life, characteristic of fantasy literature.
- Mythology — The story presents a creation myth involving deities and cosmic themes.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text explores existential themes regarding creation, existence, and the nature of seeking.
- Speculative Fiction — The work speculates on the nature of gods and the universe, fitting within speculative fiction.
Tags
Fantasy · Mythology · Philosophy · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Allegory · Cosmogony · Creation Myth · World-Building · Imaginary Worlds · Speculative Fiction · High Fantasy