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Short story : angels show their creations to God in order to populate the world

Science Fiction & Fantasy Asked by LeaG on August 25, 2021

I am looking for a short story that I studied in high school and I can’t remember the name. It was the story of God, creating the world with his angels. They showed him a lot of ideas, that he accepted or not. Until one of them showed him some kind of species, in between monkeys and angels.

This species was meant to be intelligent. At first, God refused the creation of this species, as he considered it was too dangerous for the peaceful world he wanted. In the end, the temptation was too high and he created humans.

Things that I am sure about:

  • The world doesn’t exist yet.
  • The angels show kind of drawings to God.
  • Some creatures are declined.
  • They have a good laugh when one of the angels presented the elephant.
  • Same thing with the giraffe.
  • At first, humans are declined because considered too dangerous and not peaceful enough.
  • At the end of the day, all the angels showed their creations and God is alone. He is too tempted and creates humans like "well, we’ll see what happens".

One Answer

Could it be "La Creazione" by Dino Buzzati, from "Il Colombre" (in French: "La Création", from "Le K")

I only have the text in French, but here are the relevant parts (translation provided by myself, feel free to correct it):

They have a good laugh when one of the angels presented the elephant:

Un éclat de rire général et bruyant accueillit le dessin de l’éléphant. La longueur de son nez semblait excessive, grotesque même. L’inventeur rétorqua qu’il ne s’agissait pas d’un nez mais d’un organe très spécial, pour lequel il proposait le nom de proboscide ou trompe."

A general burst of laughter welcomed the design of the elephant. The length of its nose seemed excessive, grotesque even. The inventor replied that it was no nose but a very special organ for which he was suggesting the name of proboscis or trunk.

At first, humans are declined because considered too dangerous and not peaceful enough:

— Oui, ô Seigneur, confirma l’importun. Il s’agit, modestie mise à part, d’une invention formidable. Ceci serait l’homme et cela la femme. Indépendamment de l’aspect physique, qui, je l’admets, est discutable, j’ai cherché à les faire de telle façon qu’ils soient, pardonne- moi ma hardiesse, à ta ressemblance, ô Très-Haut. Ce sera, dans toute la création, le seul être doué de raison, l’unique qui pourra se rendre compte de ton existence, l’unique qui saura t’adorer. En ton honneur il bâtira des temples grandioses et il livrera des guerres terriblement meurtrières.
— Aïe, aïe, aïe ! Tu veux dire que ce serait un intellectuel ? fit le Tout-Puissant. Fais-moiconfiance, mon fils, non, pas d’intellectuels. L’univers en est exempt, par chance, jusqu’à présent. Et j’espère qu’il restera tel jusqu’à la fin des millénaires. "

"Yes, great Lord", he confirmed. "It consists in, false modesty aside, a marvellous invention. This would be the man, and this, the woman. Independently of the physical aspect, which is, I admit it, questionable, my aim was to make them as such as they were in your image and likeness, pardon my boldness, Most High. It will be, in all of Creation, the only being endowed with reason, the only one which will be able to realize your existence, the only who will aodre you. In your name he will build wonderful temples and lead woefully deadly wars."
"My, my! Do you mean it will be an intellectual?" said the Almighty. "Trust me, my son, no intellectual. The universe is thankfully devoid of it, and I hope it will stay the same for millenia."

At the end of the day, all the angels showed their creations and god is alone. He is too tempted and creates humans like "well, we'll see what happens":

L’homme ! quelle idée folle, quel dangereux caprice. Mais dans le fond quel jeu fascinant, quelle terrible tentation. Après tout, peut-être cela en valait-il la peine. Bah ! advienne que pourra. Et puis, en période de création, on pouvait bien se montrer optimiste. « Allons, donne-moi ça », dit le Tout-Puissant en saisissant le fatal projet. Et il y apposa sa signature."

Man! Such a foolich idea, such a dangerous whim. And all the same, such a fascinating game, such a terrible temptation. After all, perhaps it could be worth it. Well, come what may. And in a time of creation, one could be optimistic.
"Here, give me this" said the Almighty, taking the fatal project.
And he signed.

Correct answer by Falyna on August 25, 2021

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