A workman falls from a great height while attempting to carve his name into the scaffolding. As he descends, he realizes the futility of his action, knowing he will soon be dead and his name will be forgotten. The narrator reflects on this moment, troubled by the workman's folly, which distracts him from his own tasks. Later, the ghost of the workman appears, laughing at the narrator's serious demeanor. The ghost expresses that life is fleeting and civilization will eventually be forgotten. He finds humor in the narrator's dedication to work, suggesting that such efforts are ultimately inconsequential in the grand scheme of existence. The ghost's laughter echoes the theme of the absurdity of human endeavors against the backdrop of time and mortality. The encounter leaves the narrator contemplating the nature of life, work, and legacy, highlighting the tension between the seriousness of human pursuits and the inevitability of oblivion.
By Lord Dunsany · First published 1916 · Genre: Fantasy, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction