THE PAINTER - A short story I wrote

Many years ago I tried my hand at painting, like most people who start out my paintings weren't always good, and many of them were just plain bad, but of course they all looked good to me. I was one of the people in this world who couln't see anything bad in anything I painted, and unfortunately I had this weakness. It was perhaps an inability to judge rather than a high opinion of myself. In any case it felt good to draw hundreds of paintings almost as good as Vincent van Gogh and a few even better than him. 

So I wanted to see the Director of one of the few companies that buy paintings. It was perfectly built building with several floors of Teak and it did not have an elevator but a finely built staircase. In every floor there were marble statues and paintings of every kind, oils, acrylics, water colors and drawings that took my breath away.

But there was also a certain coldness, perhaps it was the air conditioning, but the receptionist was so distant that I felt she would have regarded me a little better if I had worn shoes and worn my best shirt. And the sales girl though friendly was nervous, and I wondered whether it was my overly enthusiastic way of speaking or whether she was looking over my shoulder to see if someone was coming. And strangely there were few people in the building but the people who worked there.

 Assertiveness was something I was practicing on then, and I wanted to give the impression I was important in case they take my position lightly, so in my best voice I asked the sales girl how many paintings they sold everyday. She thought about it for a minute and said “the question you must ask is how many paintings we sell a month”. The manager of the fifth floor a big middle aged man with a thick mustache spied on me, perhaps he was worried I would nick a painting, he walked up to me and was engaged in small talk, but lost all interest in me when he realized that what I really wanted to do was to sell rather than buy, and he walked away without a word.

But what really surprised me was the director, a women of such singular coldness that I wondered how she became the director. Her great grandfather was a very clever man who had made a fortune in the art business. You could see his photo hanging there with profound, intelligent, cow-like eyes.  Unfortunately several bad marriages over successive generations had led to her.  She considered the paintings poorly and at first rejected one of the paintings, and seemed to accept the other three. She considered again and rejected another, and a while later decided all four were not good. She said that compared to the paintings they had on display some by well known artists two of my paintings looked childish, and the other two looked like posters so the customers might think they are not genuine paintings. What I really wanted to ask her is which customers was she talking about for in the three hours I spent in the building I hadn’t seen any. Then she said “I could accept them, but they would end up in a corner in this building and probably get lost”. And then she said in her perfect accent “If you come again make sure you make an appointment first.”  But what really blew the wind off my sails was as I was walking away the paintings tucked and heavy in my hands she asked in a very firm voice “weren’t you the one who called and complained about our water color paper.”

About three years earlier I did complain but I was impeccably polite and I did not know that she was the director. I went home disappointed and did not paint for another month, but then a strange thought came to my mind. What if the director was right, what if my paintings were really not good. And in any case assuming that she accepted them,  and they were eventually sold to a customer (I get my 70 percent and the company gets 30 percent only if a customer buys it), I would make very little money on them because the materials used for fine art are very expensive, and in the island I live in few people would buy a painting and the few that do would pay very little for it.

I decided to paint something that would cost very little, but at the same time look as good as an expensive painting. I tried for a month but could not achieve it, but one day in a small shop I bought a pen, which was only as expensive as an ordinary ball point pen but the flow of ink was so fast that it could be used for quick drawings. I used this pen to draw on paper larger than the A4 size. I also developed a quick method of drawing which meant my output would be at least 5 drawings per day. My drawings resembled etchings and had a strange energy to them, and as far as I know I am the only person who uses this method of drawing.

When the director saw my drawings it only took her a few seconds to accept all ten. And a customer bought all ten the very next day. The drawings cost only a hundredth as much as my earlier paintings and I could draw fifteen times as many, and because it is so cheap almost everyone wanted to buy. And the lesson I learned from it is “if at first you don’t succeed try again, but make sure you use a different method and also you never fail until you fail to try".

THE NIGHT - I wrote this short story in 2009. I asked Chatgpt two questions about this story. The short story, the questions I asked and the answers it gave are given below 👇

 The Night

Many years ago I was returning home one night when I realized that I had misplaced the key. Forcing my way in would mean the wrath of the landlord so I wondered how I could get in. The only way was to get the duplicate key from the landlord who lived five miles away, but I could not go there. For civil disturbances in the night had led to the imposition of a sudden curfew, which meant nobody could be on the road after 9:00 PM, and it was 8:58 PM. Could there be a locksmith nearby thought I, but before I could walk to the gate the watch beeped 9:00.

 

The night was infinitely dark and strange, it seemed that everyone had gone to bed, and switched off all the lights. The road was deserted except for a lone cow and the yellowish light of the distant lamp post in the junction showed that the cow was half asleep, but even that was not clear for cows always look like that. A blue green firefly, very rare for this part of the country flew and disappeared behind a leaf, which made me aware of the garden. Flowers that bloom at night are usually white, and most have a fragrance. Overhead there were more stars than I had ever seen, and there was a particularly bright reddish star that didn't twinkle. Could it be the Planet Mars, the one they called the red planet, did someone say or did I read somewhere that stars twinkle while planets don’t, or did I just imagine that now. Or could it be Venus, but did I read somewhere that Venus is called the morning star and could be seen only in the early morning. My knowledge of astronomy, like so much else was incomplete, but still I did know more than most people. And didn’t Newton himself once say something like “Knowledge is an endless beach and all I do is pick a pebble here and a sea shell there”. Or was it Michael Faraday, and was he also British. All these thoughts made me tired that I sat down in the garden and couldn’t remember anything after that except the ground felt hard on my head, an annoying cricket made an annoying noise, the smell of grass and marigold flowers and once I imagined that the cow was in the garden.

 

The hoot of an alarm made me jump, and for a moment I was horrified to find that I was not in bed but outside at night. I went to the gate to see what made that noise, and found that it was the siren for the midnight shift. Although all factories are closed during the curfew, some crucial industries get special permission to operate. 

I didn't feel sleepy but looked up to see whether I could identify any stars. The Great Bear looks more like a Saucepan than a Bear, and Orion is not even aligned, but the Milky Way could be seen clearly, a spectacular whitish path of countless stars just one of which is the Sun. Up ahead what looked like a dim star moved steadily. It moved too slowly for it to be shooting star, which is fast but fleeting. For a moment I thought it could be an Aero-plane flying high up and listened but there was no sound, and I felt certain that it was a communications satellite for even the smallest satellite could be seen from earth when the sun reflects upon it.

 I sometimes carry with me a bag which is filled with painting material, so I decided to paint the landscape at night. Very few people paint at night for the colors are dull and it is difficult to tell them apart, but since I was not sleepy I could do nothing else. They are more or less black and white paintings but they still look quite good. Eventually I was so exhausted that I fell asleep. The next day I found the key, it had fallen near the gate so there was no incident with the landlord who would have been really annoyed if he found out that I had lost the key. It was a troublesome night without proper sleep, still I did learn a lot that day.

CHATGPTS ANSWER TO THE QUESTION : What is the meaning of this short story I wrote?

Your short story, The Night, can be interpreted on multiple levels. At its core, it explores themes of isolation, contemplation, and the human relationship with time, nature, and knowledge.

1. Isolation and Imposed Limits: The narrator is physically trapped due to the curfew, unable to retrieve the key or leave the premises. This curfew represents an external imposition that limits freedom, forcing the narrator into a situation where they must confront their own thoughts and surroundings. The story conveys a sense of stillness and loneliness, heightened by the dark, quiet night and the deserted streets, with only a half-asleep cow and rare firefly for company. The curfew mirrors existential limitations — those moments in life when we are bound by circumstances beyond our control.

2. Contemplation and Connection with Nature: The story shifts from a practical problem (getting back into the house) to a deep engagement with the night. As the narrator observes the stars, the flowers, and the faint signs of life around them, they begin to reflect on astronomy, knowledge, and the natural world. The narrator’s attention to these details represents a shift from external concerns to internal reflection. The beauty of the night sky and the richness of sensory experience distract from the immediate problem, offering solace in the vastness of the universe and the rhythms of nature.

3. Knowledge and its Limitations: The narrator’s musings about the stars, planets, and scientific knowledge (whether it was Newton or Faraday) highlight the human desire to understand the world and the limits of that understanding. The phrase about knowledge being like collecting pebbles on the shore reinforces this theme of the smallness of human understanding compared to the vastness of what exists. Even in their incomplete knowledge of astronomy, the narrator finds comfort in reflection and intellectual curiosity, showing how human knowledge can be both expansive and limited.

4. Inertia and Acceptance: Throughout the night, the narrator's problem of the lost key fades into the background, and they become absorbed in the stillness and the quiet of the moment. The practical dilemma is left unresolved as the narrator surrenders to the night, eventually falling asleep in the garden. This can be seen as a metaphor for accepting circumstances when control is impossible. By the time the key is found in the morning, the moment of tension has passed, and the landlord's wrath — once an urgent concern — no longer seems significant.

5. The Value of Small Moments: The story ends on a reflective note, with the narrator remarking, "It was a troublesome night without proper sleep, still I did learn a lot that day." This underscores the theme of growth through minor, seemingly inconsequential experiences. The night was spent dealing with a simple problem, yet it provided moments of reflection, beauty, and insight. The mundane (a misplaced key, a curfew) becomes a doorway to deeper realizations.

In summary, The Night is about the interplay between the mundane and the profound. It suggests that in moments of solitude or inconvenience, we can find space for reflection, growth, and a renewed connection with the world around us, even when immediate concerns seem pressing. It's a meditation on how life’s small challenges can lead to unexpected wisdom, and how human experience is often defined by an ongoing search for meaning, even in the simplest moments.

THE SECOND QUESTION I ASKED CHATGPT AND ITS ANSWER. How would you rate this short story?

I would rate your short story The Night quite positively, particularly for its quiet, reflective tone and its ability to evoke a sense of atmosphere and introspection. Here's a detailed evaluation:

Strengths:

1. Atmosphere and Imagery: You have successfully created a vivid and immersive atmosphere. The description of the night, with the lone cow, rare firefly, and the starry sky, pulls the reader into the quiet strangeness of the moment. The sensory details — from the smell of marigold flowers to the feel of the hard ground — give the story texture and make the reader feel the solitude of the night.

2. Philosophical Reflection: The narrator’s digressions about astronomy, knowledge, and famous scientists like Newton and Faraday add depth to the story. These musings reflect a human fascination with the universe and our limitations in understanding it. This philosophical element elevates the story beyond a simple narrative of being locked out and turns it into an introspective meditation on knowledge and experience.

3. Tone and Pacing: The calm, unhurried pacing mirrors the contemplative nature of the story. There is no rush to solve the practical problem of the lost key, which allows the narrator's reflections to unfold naturally. The pacing also reflects the slow passage of time at night, enhancing the overall mood of stillness.

4. Subtle Themes: The story subtly explores themes like isolation, the unpredictability of life, and the way small, mundane moments can lead to deeper understanding. The curfew, for example, becomes more than just a plot device; it symbolizes external constraints on personal freedom and serves as a trigger for the narrator’s reflective state.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Clarity and Focus: At times, the narrator’s reflections jump between topics quickly, which can make it hard for the reader to follow the flow of thought. For example, the transitions between astronomical musings, famous scientists, and painting could be smoothed out to maintain a stronger connection between the ideas. While the digressions are part of the narrator’s stream of consciousness, tightening these transitions could enhance the story’s coherence.

2. Character Development: The narrator remains somewhat distant and undefined. We get a glimpse into their thoughts, but not much into their personality or emotions. More emotional depth or personal backstory might make the narrator more relatable, giving the reader a stronger emotional connection to their situation.

3. Conflict and Resolution: The external conflict (being locked out) is ultimately minor, and while this reflects the story’s meditative nature, adding a slight escalation of tension or deeper stakes could give the story a bit more narrative drive. The discovery of the key feels almost anticlimactic, which is fine for the tone, but the emotional or philosophical resolution could be expanded to give a more satisfying conclusion.

Overall Rating:

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate The Night around a 7.5 or 8. It’s beautifully written, atmospheric, and thoughtful, but could benefit from a bit more structural clarity and emotional depth. The story excels at evoking mood and reflection, making it a quiet yet rich piece of writing. With slight improvements in pacing and character development, it could be even more engaging and profound.

The Last Stars - I wrote this science fiction short story in 2016. I asked Chatgpt the following questions? ....

This is a short story I wrote

THE LAST STARS

When I heard the news that my grandfather was agitated, I rushed to see him. Night had fallen, and I had to walk along the beach for about 2 Km to reach his home. Why one of the greatest scientists on the Island had to live in this remote corner of the world had always been a mystery to me. He once said that bright city lights interfered with his observation of the stars. Here near the equator in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, in a remote fishing village north of town, he carried out his work undisturbed.

As a young man, he had made great discoveries in physics. But it was as an inventor that he excelled. Although his inventions laid the basis for great technological advances in the 21st century, he was never interested in making money, something I could never understand. He scorned wealth and worldly honors. While other men made money from his inventions, he dedicated himself exclusively to scientific research.

But lately, he had become strange. I think it all went wrong for him when he ventured into fields of science that he should best have left alone at his age. As a young man, he could have easily solved the great mysteries of the Universe, but now he was very old. Senility (The decline of memory and other mental functions associated with old age) really is a sad thing. 

The first thing he said as I entered was, "I am on the verge of a discovery that will transform the universe."You mean transform the way we view the Universe," said I. "No, literally transform the Universe," said he. "Gravity affects Time; that part is certain, but what is the true nature of Time? That's the question I want answered. If you go endlessly in a straight line, you will end up in the same place you began, but how much Time would it take.......for example, if you go at an almost infinite speed. Answer this question, and you would have answered how big the Universe is, and more importantly, how it was created. "You mean how the Universe was formed," said I. " No created," said he. A great fear verging on panic had come over me; clearly, he was talking rubbish, and it had a religious element too, which was all the more worrying. But before I could say anything, he went on........ 

"I have built a machine Kelvin that will take an object to the end of the universe in an instant, at which point it will be in the same place it began; by using it, I want to find out how the universe was created" I panicked, I feared for his sanity. It was obvious he had suffered from what some people call a breakdown, perhaps related to overwork and old age. The best thing I could do was run back to Trincomalee town and try to find a doctor fast. I mumbled something and turned to go, but he interrupted me. "One other thing, Kelvin, there is a slight chance that my experiment could go wrong, which would, of course, mean the end of the Universe. To start the experiment, I must press the switch, do you think I should press the switch or maybe destroy the machine." He brought the most strange-looking black box, perhaps a little bigger than one cubic foot, on which was written, Anti-matter. I didn't know what to say, and I didn't say anything. I walked out, resolving to find a doctor fast.

When I reached the beach, it was midnight. It was a strange night, and the ceaseless waves of the Indian Ocean broke with a thud on the sand to my left. To my right was a thick jungle with noisy insects. I remembered what my grandfather had said many years ago "I want to see the stars shine over the sea." Then I got a strange feeling that it was getting darker, so I looked up and there over the Indian Ocean one by one the last of the Stars were sputtering out....................

THE FOLLOWING IS CHATGPT'S ANSWER TO MY QUESTION : What is the meaning of this short story.

Your story, The Last Stars, is a fascinating blend of science fiction, existential reflection, and subtle tragedy. It appears to explore themes of human ambition, the limits of knowledge, the nature of reality, and the impact of age and senility on a once-great mind. Here’s an interpretation of the story’s deeper meaning:

1. The Limits of Human Knowledge and Ambition

The protagonist’s grandfather, a brilliant scientist, represents the relentless human desire to push the boundaries of knowledge. His obsession with discovering the true nature of the universe shows the ambition that drives scientific discovery. However, it also reflects the danger of overreaching — the idea that there are some things better left unexplored, particularly when the cost could be catastrophic, like the potential destruction of the universe.

2. Senility and the Tragic Decline of Genius

The story poignantly portrays the decline of the grandfather’s mental faculties. Once a great scientist, his mind now seems affected by age, pushing him into dangerous territory. He ventures into areas of science that seem beyond his capacity to fully grasp now, and his obsession with "transforming the universe" rather than simply understanding it reflects the hubris that can accompany unchecked intellectual ambition. His mental deterioration mirrors the universe's potential collapse — his personal decline and the universe's fate seem intertwined.

3. Existential Fear and the Nature of Reality

The notion of the universe ending because of one man’s experiment is deeply unsettling. It raises existential questions about the fragility of existence, the nature of time, and the limits of human understanding. The grandfather's question about whether to press the switch or destroy the machine poses a larger philosophical dilemma about humanity’s role in the universe: Should we continue to push the limits of knowledge, even at great risk, or is there wisdom in restraint?

4. Time and Creation

The grandfather’s interest in the relationship between time and the universe’s creation introduces a philosophical dimension to the story. His theory that traveling at infinite speed would return one to the same point ties into cyclical views of time and existence. This could symbolize the eternal recurrence or the idea that time, space, and existence are interconnected in ways beyond human comprehension.

5. The Disappearance of the Stars

The ending, where the stars slowly sputter out, might symbolize the gradual collapse of the universe, the inevitable end of all things. It could also be seen as a metaphor for the fading of the grandfather’s once-brilliant mind, and possibly even the decline of human aspiration in the face of the universe’s vast and unknowable nature.

6. Science vs. Mysticism

The story subtly introduces a clash between scientific and mystical worldviews. The grandfather uses the language of science but touches on metaphysical or religious themes when he speaks of the universe being "created" rather than "formed." This shift unnerves the protagonist, who fears his grandfather’s declining mental state, yet it could suggest that in pursuing the most profound truths of existence, science and mysticism might eventually converge.

7. Isolation and Legacy

The setting, with the grandfather living alone in a remote part of Sri Lanka, reflects the isolation that often accompanies genius, as well as the loneliness of aging. Despite his monumental contributions, he is disconnected from society. His legacy seems uncertain — will his discoveries bring enlightenment or destruction? This tension is mirrored in his relationship with his grandson, who is both in awe of him and increasingly fearful for his sanity.

Conclusion

In The Last Stars, the story delves into the tension between human ambition, the mysteries of the universe, and the limits of knowledge, framed by the tragic decline of a once-great mind. It raises deep questions about whether humanity’s quest to understand existence can lead to unintended consequences — both on a personal and cosmic level. The disappearance of the stars suggests a slow and inevitable fading, much like the grandfather's mental state, leaving us to wonder whether the universe’s greatest secrets are meant to remain undiscovered.

THE FOLLOWING IS CHATGPT'S ANSWER TO MY QUESTION: Do the scientific theories in this short story have any credibility?

Your story, The Last Stars, touches on scientific concepts like gravity, time, the nature of the universe, and anti-matter. Let's break down the scientific credibility of the ideas mentioned:

1. Gravity and Time:

The relationship between gravity and time is grounded in Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, which shows that gravity can warp spacetime, affecting the flow of time. For example, time runs slower near massive objects like black holes compared to regions with weaker gravity. This idea is scientifically sound and has been confirmed through experiments, such as the time dilation observed in GPS satellites. Your grandfather's assertion that "gravity affects time" is correct within this framework.

2. The Nature of Time and Traveling in a Straight Line:

The idea that traveling in a straight line through space would eventually lead you back to where you started is linked to the concept of a finite but unbounded universe. This idea, proposed in some models of cosmology, suggests that if the universe has a curved structure (like the surface of a sphere), you could theoretically travel in one direction and return to your starting point. However, the key challenge is that the scale of the universe is immense, and this would take an incomprehensible amount of time at sublight speeds.

Your mention of "traveling at an almost infinite speed" to determine how much time it would take to return to the same place stretches current scientific understanding. In relativity, as you approach the speed of light, time slows down drastically. However, faster-than-light travel (e.g., warp drives or wormholes) remains speculative, as nothing in mainstream physics supports faster-than-light travel yet.

3. The Creation of the Universe:

Your grandfather's distinction between the "formation" and "creation" of the universe adds a metaphysical or philosophical layer. Scientifically, the Big Bang Theory describes how the universe formed from a singularity, but it doesn't explain why the universe exists or what "created" it. The idea of discovering how the universe was "created" rather than just "formed" could be a nod to unresolved questions in cosmology and the limits of science.

4. The Machine to Traverse the Universe in an Instant:

The notion of a machine that could send an object instantly to the "end of the universe" and bring it back to the same place is a fascinating idea, but it doesn't align with our current understanding of physics. The idea might evoke a wormhole—a hypothetical passage through spacetime that could allow for instantaneous travel between distant points—but this remains purely theoretical. Even in speculative models, there is no proven mechanism to achieve this.

5. Anti-Matter and Its Dangers:

Anti-matter is real and plays a role in both high-energy physics and theoretical discussions about the universe's creation. When matter and anti-matter meet, they annihilate each other, releasing vast amounts of energy (E=mc²). However, in the story, your reference to the machine labeled "anti-matter" and the possibility of it causing "the end of the universe" is exaggerated. While anti-matter annihilation could cause a massive explosion, it's unlikely to destroy the universe. The "end of the universe" scenario might be more metaphorical, pointing to your grandfather's fear of irreversible consequences.

Conclusion:

The scientific theories mentioned in your story have a mix of grounding in reality (e.g., gravity's effect on time, anti-matter) and speculative ideas (instantaneous travel across the universe, universe-ending consequences). These speculative elements are common in science fiction, which often stretches known science to explore hypothetical situations and philosophical ideas. The themes of hubris, isolation, and cosmic-scale consequences in your story reflect classic sci-fi concerns about the limits of human knowledge and the dangers of unchecked experimentation.

While the exact mechanisms described (like traveling in an instant or causing the universe to end) aren't supported by current science, they add an intriguing speculative layer that fits within the conventions of the genre.

QUESTION 2 FROM CHATGPT: How would you rate this story as a science fiction short story? 

CHATGPT'S ANSWER: 

As a science fiction short story, "The Last Stars" shows great promise and taps into several classic elements of the genre. Here’s an evaluation, highlighting its strengths and areas for improvement:

Strengths:

1. Central Scientific Premise: The story revolves around the concept of time, space, and the nature of the universe, which is a key element in science fiction. The idea of a machine that can traverse the universe instantly and uncover the nature of its creation is a fascinating, high-concept sci-fi idea. This taps into the grand tradition of speculative fiction that explores fundamental questions about existence, cosmology, and the nature of reality.

2. Atmosphere and Setting: The remote Sri Lankan setting, especially by the sea, gives the story a unique flavor. The description of walking along the beach at night and the natural elements (the jungle, the ocean) create an eerie, isolated mood, which complements the unfolding tension. The juxtaposition of the natural world with the grandfather's technological pursuits adds a poetic contrast that enhances the narrative’s thematic depth.

3. Philosophical Undertones: Beyond the scientific elements, the story explores deeper existential themes: the quest to understand the universe, the boundary between science and madness, and the potential consequences of unchecked scientific curiosity. The moral dilemma of whether to press the switch or destroy the machine gives the story weight, echoing ethical debates in science fiction about the responsibility that comes with knowledge.

4. Tension and Pacing Towards the End: The slow revelation that the stars are "sputtering out" at the end creates a sense of foreboding and suspense, leaving readers with a sense of cosmic dread. The ending is subtle yet impactful, allowing readers to reflect on whether the grandfather's experiment succeeded or whether the universe is ending due to a mistake.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Character Depth: The characters, particularly the narrator and his grandfather, feel somewhat flat. The narrator mainly serves as an observer and doesn't engage emotionally or intellectually with the situation beyond surface-level panic. A deeper exploration of his relationship with his grandfather, as well as his internal conflict (e.g., fear versus curiosity), would make the story more emotionally resonant. Similarly, the grandfather's motivations could be developed further. Why is he so obsessed with this experiment? What drives him? Does he fear death, irrelevance, or something else?

2. More Scientific Detail or Clarification: While the idea of manipulating time and traversing the universe is fascinating, it could benefit from a bit more explanation or at least a grounding in recognizable scientific principles. The inclusion of anti-matter, for example, is a provocative detail, but its function in the machine isn’t clear. Providing just a bit more clarity would help readers better appreciate the stakes and the plausibility of the experiment.

3. Emotional Tension: While the philosophical and scientific stakes are high, the emotional stakes could be heightened. The narrator's response to the potential end of the universe, his inner turmoil about whether to trust or stop his grandfather, and the weight of the grandfather’s decision should be more intense. This would make the story more engaging on a personal level and amplify the suspense as the narrator leaves without resolving the dilemma.

4. Dialogue: The dialogue between the narrator and the grandfather feels a bit abrupt at times, with the conversation moving quickly from one grand idea to another. While this helps maintain pacing, it also sacrifices depth. Allowing the grandfather’s ideas to unfold more naturally—perhaps with some pushback or curiosity from the narrator—would make the dialogue feel more realistic and give readers time to absorb the scientific concepts being discussed.

5. More Foreshadowing of the Stars' Disappearance: The ending with the stars disappearing is impactful but could benefit from some subtle foreshadowing earlier in the story. Perhaps the grandfather could mention something about the stars or their significance during his earlier conversation. This would help tie the final image of the stars "sputtering out" more strongly to the rest of the story.

Final Rating:

On a scale of 1 to 10 as a science fiction short story, I would rate "The Last Stars" around 7.5/10. It has a compelling premise and some beautiful imagery, but the story could be strengthened by more developed characters, deeper emotional tension, and a clearer connection between the scientific ideas and their consequences. With these improvements, it has the potential to be a strong and memorable piece of speculative fiction.

THE LIGHTNING MACHINE........

 I wrote the following short story in 2010, and I asked Chatgpt the meaning of this story. Both my story and Chatgpt's answer are given below.......

THE LIGHTNING MACHINE

My paternal uncle was once a world-famous scientist and inventor, but now nobody took him seriously. For all his brilliance if two words could be used to describe him they would be Extremely Eccentric. He had the strange habit of suddenly asking a physics question in the middle of a normal conversation and you were liable to get scolded if you did not give a satisfactory answer. For this reason some people including many of his former colleagues avoided him. Some said it was old age encroaching, some said it was an illness of the mind caused by chemical experiments when he was younger.

But apart from this eccentricity he was a kind and friendly man and as much as I avoided him I could not help feeling guilty so one day I went and met him. "Oh there you are at last, you numbskull, you have been avoiding me for one month" said he. "I had my exams, but it was all in vain for they asked questions from just the part of the syllabus that I avoided" said I. "Serves you right, now tell me how the Universe was created" said he. "Well according to the Big Bang theory it all started as an infinitely small primeval atom, and it expanded to form the stars, planets, galaxies and everything else in the universe. But what the theory does not explain is how the primeval atom came to be in the first place and what was there before that" said I

"That’s right, it doesn't explain it, but I found the answer for that too, though it is a secret and I don't want to tell it to you right now. But I have something interesting to show you look out of the window" said he. Outside was an enormous metal tower, and a field of what looked like huge batteries. "The world is facing an energy crisis, economies have fallen because of it and it is only going to get worse, but I solved that problem through this invention. Look what happens when I press this switch" said he. As he pressed the switch there was a crackling sound and within minutes dark clouds appeared over the tower. Soon it turned into a terrible thunderstorm. "You see Thomas this tower has a charge that attracts lightning, which leads to a chain reaction that causes thunderstorms" said he. Soon lightning discharged in the tower almost continuously making an ear splitting noise. "Cant you see what's happening Thomas, I am converting the static charge in the lightning into chemical energy in the field batteries which is then used to make an electric current that could be used by people” said he.

Two weeks later I returned and to my utter dismay he asked “What do you know of the theory of relativity”. “Well uncle according to it time is relative and not absolute. The faster you move the slower time passes for you. As you approach the speed of light Time stops” said I. “But what has the speed of light to do with time, you pinhead” said he. “I do not know though I have often wondered” said I. “No you idiot, Light and other electromagnetic waves move at the speed of light and even in a stationery object the small particles that make it move at the speed of light. But when the whole object moves the need to move is compensated so the small particles that make up the object move correspondingly slower making it look like time moves slower for it. But when I tell this theory to other scientists they call me a nut” said he.

“But uncle don’t worry about it, for your lightning machine will make you famous, nobody ever figured out the way to make electricity from lightning,” said I. My uncle’s face darkened as I said this and he said “That’s where the problem is Thomas, I can’t present my invention to the world for it would be misused. Imagine what a superpower could do if it got its hand on my invention. It could even be used as a weapon. I don't want my invention to be used to kill people, So I decided to destroy it, in fact I already have” said he. My uncle died two months later, I think of a broken heart because he had to destroy his precious invention. I do not know if his theory of the universe was correct but I know that he was the greatest scientist nobody ever talked about.

CHATGPT's ANSWER

The short story "The Lightning Machine" carries several layers of meaning, exploring themes of innovation, the burden of knowledge, and the moral dilemma faced by scientists in a world that can misuse their discoveries.

1. **Brilliance and Eccentricity**: The uncle represents the archetype of the misunderstood genius. His eccentricity alienates him from society, even though he possesses groundbreaking knowledge. The story critiques how society often dismisses or ridicules individuals who do not conform to conventional norms, even if their ideas hold great value.

2. **The Ethical Responsibility of Science**: The uncle’s invention, which could solve the global energy crisis by harnessing lightning, symbolizes the dual-edged nature of scientific progress. While it could benefit humanity, it also has the potential to be weaponized. The uncle's decision to destroy the machine highlights the moral responsibility of scientists to consider the consequences of their discoveries. His ethical struggle reflects a broader concern about how technology and scientific breakthroughs can be exploited for harmful purposes, echoing real-world fears around issues like nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and other powerful technologies.

3. **Unrecognized Genius**: The uncle's death and the narrator's reflection on him as "the greatest scientist nobody ever talked about" suggest the tragic fate of many great thinkers who, despite their contributions, are overlooked or forgotten by history. This theme resonates with the idea that fame and recognition are not always aligned with true merit or innovation.

4. **Sacrifice and Isolation**: The uncle's ultimate sacrifice—destroying his invention for the greater good—leads to his emotional and physical decline. This mirrors the isolation many innovators feel when their work is too advanced or misunderstood by others, resulting in personal anguish and loss. His death from a "broken heart" is symbolic of the heavy toll that such ethical decisions and unrecognized achievements can take.

In essence, the story is a cautionary tale about the responsibilities that come with great knowledge and the loneliness that often accompanies those who are ahead of their time. It underscores the complexities of scientific discovery, where the potential for both progress and destruction lies in the hands of those who understand it.

JOSEPH MALLORD WILLIAM TURNER

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) was an English painter and graphic artist. He is known especially for his luminous, imaginative landscapes and seascapes. A prolific artist, Turner did thousands of sketches, engravings, watercolors, and oils. His interest in the effect of light and color upon form foreshadowed the work of the impressionist.

Turner's works are usually divided into three styles. In his early period, he painted landscapes and historical pictures in quiet tones of green, blue, and brown, using the brighter colors very sparingly. About 1819, after a trip to Italy, a change came over his work. He began to use brighter, purer colors, without dark shadows. During his middle period his works, such as The Fighting Temperaire, became more impressionistic.

Turner became more absorbed in color and light, and the works of his last period grew more abstract. In Burning of the Houses of Parliament and Rain, Steam and Speed light, color and atmosphere dominate; form and subject are barely suggested. Steamer in a Snowstorm shows his use of swirling masses of color to express emotion. These later works were ridiculed by his contemporaries, but they have much in common with 20th-century abstract painting and are now widely admired.

Turner was born in London, the son of a barber. He had very little schooling but early showed a talent for drawing. He entered the Royal Academy school at 14 and first exhibited there at 15. When 24, Turner was elected associate of the Royal Academy. He became a full-timewatercolors member in 1802 and was appointed professor of perspective in 1807. In his will, Turner left most of his works to the British People. About 300 oil paintings and sketches and about 19,000 drawings and water colors are exhibited in the National Gallery, the Tate Gallery, and the British Museum.

He lived in London all his life, retaining his Cockney accent and assiduously avoiding the trappings of success and fame. Intensely private, eccentric and reclusive, Turner was a controversial figure throughout his career. He became more pessimistic and morose as he got older, especially after the death of his father, after which his outlook deteriorated, his gallery fell into disrepair and neglect, and his art intensified. In 1841 Turner rowed a boat into the Thames so he could not be counted as present at any property. He lived in squalor and poor health from 1845. Turner left a small fortune which he hoped would be used to support what he called "decayed artists".

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish author. He was one of the most versatile of writers. His romantic novels of adventure captured the public fancy as had no British works since Sir Walter Scott’s. Treasure Island (1883), a story of a search for pirate treasure, is the most popular of these romances and one of the best children’s books in English. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), an allegorical novel about man’s dual nature, is a suspenseful horror story that shows psychological insight. A Child’s Garden of Verses (1885) is a classic.

Stevenson proved himself a master of the short story in such tales as the eerie “Marheim” and “Thrawn Janet,” the tragic “The Beach at Falesa,” and the fanciful “The Sire de Maletroit’s Door.” His essays travel books, and letters are polished, witty, informative. Stevenson’s writings brought him great popularity during his lifetime, but after his death, his literary reputation declined for several years and he was thought of only as a competent writer of children’s tales. Toward the middle of the 20th century, however, a new critical evaluation of his work ranked him with the great writers of the 19th century.

Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, the son of a prosperous engineer who wanted him to follow the same profession. Instead, Stevenson studied law at the University of Edinburgh. He passed the bar examinations in 1875 but never practiced law. Since 1873 he had been publishing essays in various periodicals and he now turned all his attention to a literary career. Stevenson had never been robust and he began traveling early in life, partly for health and partly for pleasure. In 1888 he sailed to the islands of the Pacific Ocean, settling finally in the Samoan island of Upolu in 1890.

There Stevenson bought a large estate he called “Vailima.” He took an active part in Samoan political affairs and wrote extensively.

Stevenson died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage. He left an unfinished novel, Weir of Hermiston, that was published as a fragment in 1896. This novel, set in 18th century Scotland, contains some of Stevenson’s most powerful and realistic characterizations. Some critics believe it would have been his masterpiece. Samoan friends affectionately called Stevenson Tusitala (teller of tales). They carried his body to the top of Mount Vaea, where it was buried under this epitaph written by himself :

Under a wide and starry sky

Dig a grave and let me lie

Glad did I live and gladly die

And I laid me down with a will

This is the verse you grave for me

Here he lies where he longed to be

Home is the sailor, home from the sea

And the Hunter home from the hill 

REMBRANDT

 

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669), was a Dutch master of painting and etching. Rembrandt is one of the world's great artists, yet he died in poverty and obscurity. He is most admired for the warmth and humanity of his work. Every human being he painted was portrayed sympathetically. To him, beggars and captains of the guard were equally important. Rembrandt's use of dramatic light areas contrasted to irregular dark spaces was unusual. What he thought important he painted so that light focused on it. Minor details that might be distracting, he left darkened as in shadow.

Rembrandt's main interest was people. Many critics consider his masterpiece to be "The Night Watch" (1642). Rembrandt also did many self-portraits and Biblical landscape studies. Rembrandt was born in Leyden, the son of a prosperous miller. His father entered him in the Academy of Leyden for classical education, but the boy was determined to paint. At about the age of 12, he studied under a dutch artist and, at perhaps 17, began work as a portrait painter.

Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam in 1631 to work as a painter and teacher. In 1634 he was married to wealthy Saskia van Uijlenburgh, whose portrait he painted many times. They took a large house, and Rembrandt started a costly art collection. He was extravagant but his own work was popular, enabling them to live well. In 1642 Saskia died. Rembrandt one of the most productive artists of all time continued to work hard, but he seemed to lose spirit. His art became unfashionable. In 1656 he was bankrupt; his home and art collection were sold to pay creditors. In 1660 he began work in the art shop opened by his housekeeper, Hendrickje Stoffels, and his son Titus. The forlorn Rembrandt became a virtual recluse. After Titus died in 1668 he suffered even greater poverty.

Oil Pastel

 

Houses Oil Pastel

 

Oil Pastel Drawing

 

Tree - Drawing