God and Satan

This is a story of two friends which starts long ago. Even before planet Earth and the solar system came into existence, infact, it starts even before that. The two friends are  God and Satan! Oh yes they are friends and have always been that way, quite contrary to the popular belief that they are enemies. They never fought wars and they never killed anyone. They are just friends having a good time. Their friendship though, is like that of those two kids who go to the beach to play, one builds a beautiful sand castle and the other likes to destroy it for fun! It's all fun and games you see.

God though had a serious plan. One day he asked Satan to come meet him. "What's up God, why did you call me over?" asked Satan upon arriving to Parádeisos, that is the name of God's official residence. "I want to discuss a grand plan with you Sat", said God. Oh and Sat is Satan's nickname, God often calls him that. "You got any food? I'm starving", said Satan. God clapped his hands and some angels got food for both. After they finished eating God showed his grand plans to Satan on a large mystical crystal screen. It had some spheres moving in circles around another sphere. "Wow, what's this God? Some new game? Graphics are pretty good though I must say", joked Satan. "Stop fooling around", said God.

"This is my new project. I plan to make this. It will be called, The Solar System! At the center will be a star and around it will revolve planets which will support life. What say?" asked God. "Nice, go ahead all the best", said Satan with a mischievous smile. "You better not meddle with my project", said God angrily to Satan. Who laughed and left. So God started his project, The Solar System. He made the sun and then made the first planet. Satan started his mischief, he made the planet too hot to support life. God thought he made some miscalculations, so made another planet far from the sun. Satan made this one too cold and this continued. On some he put poisonous gasses and on some he took away the atmosphere.

God summoned Satan again. "Listen Satan I have had enough. I have space for just one more planet and dare if you interfere with that", warned God. Satan knew God was quite angry so stayed away from this one. So God made earth and he put life on it. Earth went through some trial and errors. Like the earlier creatures, the dinosaurs were too big so had to be wiped off. The temperature later became too cold, in the ice age, so had to be regulated but eventually it settled. There were forests of trees and wild animals roaming the forests. But something bothered God again, so he decided to make a highly evolved being. God was very happy with his creation and called Satan over to have a look.

"The animals keep fighting, Satan. Sometimes for territory, sometimes for food and sometimes for mates. They don't understand I have created enough for all of them. They need to be guided, they need a leader. I present to you, the human being! A creature with highly evolved intelligence that will ensure peace and harmony on the planet", said God. Satan burst out laughing. "You are going to trust these humans to look after your planet? Good luck with that!" exclaimed Satan. Satan got up and walked away. He returned after sometime with a backpack. "Where are you going now?" asked God. "I'm going on a vacation, there's no need for me anymore God. These humans will now do what I always used to do", said Satan still laughing. "We'll see. Where are you going anyways?" asked God. "I'm going to the distant lands of Paralía. They have some lovely beaches there. Will ping you to check on you", said Satan. "Bob voyage", said God and Satan left.

Very carefully God placed his first two humans on the planet, he named Adam and Eve. Politely, meticulously and elaborately God explained them their roles and the dos and don'ts. Just as he was about to relax after explaining, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden apple! "What... Why would you do that?" God asked them, totally baffled. They just looked at each other not knowing what to say. They thought for sometime then replied, "Satan asked us to!" God was shocked. "Satan isn't even here, stop blaming him. Take responsibility for your actions", God said. Disappointed, God took some time out to relax.

Just then Satan pinged, God replied. It was like a video call on the large crystal screen. Satan was relaxing on a beach, comfortably sitting in a sunbath chair, with a hat and sipping on some coconut water. "What's up God, how's it going?" he asked. He looked relaxed and refreshed. "Well some startup problems but I think we should be able to sort them. Will talk later", said God and disconnected. As time went on the human population grew. To God's horror, the humans, which he expected to be civilized, were even more destructive. They chopped down forests, killed animals, produced toxic substances and abused the environment. God is still disappointed with what the humans have done and are doing to the planet. Finally one day God called Satan, the same video call again. Satan was once again found sitting on the beach, two horns protruding from his hat. "When did you grown horns?" asked God. "Oh these", laughed Satan, then continued , "got them from a party shop. Your creations like to think of me this way".

"So what makes you call me", asked Satan. "Well, you were right. These creatures of advanced intelligence are self destructive. They fight for land and property, they fight for food and water, they fight for partners and you won't believe this, they have divided into groups called religions, each group has given me a different name, made different rules to pray to me and then they fight over that! They have divided the land into countries and quarrel over that too! They don't just fight, they kill each other over these issues. You know the funny part, they also have a scapegoat. They are selfish and greedy but conveniently blame you!" said God. "But I'm not even there!" exclaimed Satan. "I know, but you are the one they always blame", replied God. "I think you gave them too much 'free will'. Why don't you just wipe the slate clean like you did with the dinosaurs and start again?" advised Satan. "It deeply saddens me to see my children fight over petty issues and worst of all is to see them fight in my name. But Sat, there's still hope. For even with all the malice, love still survives in the hearts of few. Kind, compassionate, caring, understanding, generous and loving, it's these select few noble ones I put my faith in. While they live, I will keep my faith in my creations, the humans", replied God. "And what if they fail you?" asked Satan. "Well then I guess I'll just "format" the planet and join you on vacation!" replied God with a sigh of disappointment.