“During each year, over the whole world, the land and the water have been peopled by hosts of living forms.” In the lecture room, only the sound of Jack’s voice could be heard. He glanced at the students listening intently.

“What an infinite number of generations, which the mind cannot grasp, must have succeeded each other in the long roll of years! Now turn to our richest geological museums, and what a paltry display to behold.”

Jack paused as he waited for his words to sink in. “Can anyone tell me who said that?”

The class burst into whispers but no one raised their hands. He pointed, randomly, to a blonde male. The male stood up with an unsure expression. “Um…Hitler?”

Jack was speechless. ‘Hitler? Are you being serious right now?’ Seconds later, the class still showed no intention of laughing. “No, it’s not Hitler.”

He pointed at a boy who was scratching his head to ease the awkward situation. “Yes, Nigel?”

Nigel was stunned. “I wasn’t trying- “

“It won’t hurt to try.” Jack smiled. There was no way he would allow Nigel to worm his way out.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Jack Keith.” Nigel grinned. The class laughed as Jack was speechless again.

He quickly recovered. “No, it’s not me. Since no one has the answer- “

“Charles Darwin. It’s Charles Darwin.” A black-haired boy sitting at the last row said lazily as he rubbed his eyes.  It was obvious that he had been sleeping just a while ago.

“That’s correct. Good job, Vin.” Jack smiled. His voice became serious. “As an archaeologist, there is a truth I cannot deny. In front of time, flesh and blood, steel and stone…. they are nothing.”

Nigel raised his hand. “Sir, materials like steel and also stone can exist for a long time. Why do you say they are nothing in front of time?”

Jack laughed. “You think it’s a long time?”

He looked at the students who were becoming interested. “A mayfly can only live 24 hours. Their females even live for five minutes. To them, humans, who can live for a hundred years, are basically immortal.” Jack looked at the surprised looks on his students’ faces. “Yes, we are immortal! We can see their hundred thousandth generation. So why not?”

The boy who said ‘Hitler’ looked at his hands and whispered in a surprised voice. “I can’t believe I’m an ancestor now.”

The class burst into laughter.

Jack chuckled. “Your lifespan measured in decades will be insignificant to those measured in millenniums. This shows that immortality is only relative. So, does true immortality even exist?”

Ding! The bell rang. Jacks picked his lecture notes and smiled. “There won’t be any assignments for today. Go over this lesson carefully. There may be a test!”

Jack ambled over to his office without paying attention to the groans and grunts of displeasure behind him.

His mind was conflicted. ‘Was immortality truly a myth?’