The Space Sieve

by David Smith

  ~ ~ ~

  And so now, I finish my record.

  Having previously documented David’s unusual skill with the Device, which he called the Space Sieve, I had completed the secondary purpose of this document. And now, having completed this chapter, I have finished the primary one. For the primary reason for this document was to record an event that has become increasingly known by my kind and indeed, by many creatures throughout the total expanse of all creation. For it was an event of such selflessness, such sacrifice, such strength, such courage, and such greatness that it has, and will be, described and re-told time and time again. The event of which I speak, was the willing, selfless sacrifice made by El and Asherah. For they could have fled. They could have preserved their lives. And in doing so, they would have received not a single note of condemnation from their friends. To the contrary, they would have received the gratitude of their fellows for preserving their rare breed for all future generations upon their world. Indeed, if they had left, if they had simply flown away, they would already have fought valiantly, and in leaving would have performed a final, vital act in preserving their very species. And even more, when they decided to stay, when they decided to sacrifice themselves as well as all their future posterity for the sake of the other animals, they could not have known whether their sacrifice would even make a difference. And yet, they stayed and fought the hopeless fight, knowing only that in so doing, they would have done all that they could have done. There is a saying you have: “No greater love has any man than this, that he would give his life for a friend.” El and Asherah gave their lives, and the future of their kind, for their friends. And yet, they had no way to know whether their great sacrifice would even save their friends.

  But of course, it did.

  So having concluded the essential parts of this account, I am essentially, done.

  Yet – and strangely – I feel marginally disposed to relate a few further notes. You will recall that I produced the present document as essentially an afterthought, as a by-product of my having made a document for those of my own kind after our own manner. But now, inexplicable as it may seem, I find I have an odd sense of concern for your welfare too.

  Now that I have recorded this much, and understanding your sentimental way of looking at things, and your sensitivities, I feel compelled to write a few more lines that I feel will be of worth to you. I should say I feel “almost” compelled, because the truth is, my main reason for producing this document is finished, as I said. But now, in an odd way I feel I “owe” it to you to relate a few further facts that occurred as they relate to these matters, which I will now undertake.