Any Questions?

I decided to create this post like we do when we're doing free writing. I saw a picture of the milky way and gave myself a time limit to produce a story...

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..."And that concludes today's lesson on space," Miss Johnson announced to the class. Her second grade class was sitting less than enthused at her lesson on the solar system. She gazed around the room at the little boys and girls that stared back at her with wide eyes. One little boy was dozing off at the back of the classroom. She sighed at the lack of response. The solar system is too advanced a subject for such underdeveloped minds, she thought sourly."Are there any questions?" she said as she twirled the chalk in her hand. One little boy's hand shot up into the air:

"Is the milky way made out of milk?" the young boy asked. There were a few giggles around the room. Chris was always making jokes. It seemed every class has at least one class clown. Miss Johnson strained from rolling her eyes and smiled patiently.

"Of course not," she replied. Chris smiled triumphantly at his ability to waste the teacher's time, even if it was just for a second. "If there are no more questions, let's move onto math. Everyone take out their noteb-" One of the quieter students, Sophie, quickly raised her hand. "Yes, Sophie?"

"I don't understand," Sophie said quietly.

"What is it you don't understand?" Miss Johnson said, her patience wearing thin. She wanted to move on to subtraction.

"I don't understand the universe."

"Well, that's a very broad subject," Miss Johnson replied, trying to conceal her fatigue, "what in particular don't you understand?"

"First of all, I don't understand how the universe can on for ever,"Sophie explained. "I mean, how can something go on forever; everything has to end, doesn't it?" Students around her perked up; listening in interest and nodding their heads in agreement. Sophie continued, her confidence building, "And if the universe ended, there would have to be something beyond it, right? So then I don't understand what would come after the universe? Another universe? But then what would be beyond that? It would have to end because everything comes to an end eventually, right? But also, I don't understand how the universe could not end, because how can there be nothing after the universe? Is there such thing as nothing? Is it like in cartoons where it's just a blank, white space? But then what would be beyond that?" Sophie took a moment to catch her breath, as the questions she always tossed around in her mind poured out. Miss Johnson was looking overwhelmed. But she continued: "And how was the universe created? Like, if it was God that created the universe, what was there before? How did God create something from nothing? And where was He if there was no universe to exist in? How could he exist in nothing? And then if you do not believe in God, how did the universe get here? And then what would have existed when the universe didn't, because something had to have existed? And also - "

"Sophie! One question at a time, please," Miss Johnson said exasperatedly. The class stared back at her, expectantly. Miss Johnson's head was beginning to pound. She had no idea what to tell the little girl. "Unfortunately, Sophie, we have to move on to math." Sophie frowned, clearly disappointed to not have answers. "So, before we begin on subtraction, did everyone understand the addition from yesterday?" The class sat quietly, clearly still thinking about the questions the little girl opened their eyes to. Miss Johnson wanted desperately for them to move on to math. "Really? No problems at all?" she asked as she smiled encouragingly at the quiet classroom. "Nobody has any questions?"

A dozen hands shot into the air.

Miss Johnson rubbed her forehead, exhaustion seeping in. "About the math homework?"

All the hands went down.

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So when I first looked at the image, I didn't think I would have taken the approach I did. But it was a fun story to write that proves that you should never underestimate the intelligence and insight of youth.