Portable Childhoods: "Intelligent Design"

With her story "Intelligent Design" Ellen Klages tackles the dicey topic of God and Creation. The story opens with a 1951 quote from J. B. S. Haldane:

If one could conclude as to the nature of the Creator from a study of creation , it would appear that God has an inordinate fondness for stars and beetles.

This quote informs the story. Here, God is something of a child, gleefully creating stars with a point of his short stubby fingers.

There is not a whole lot of conflict to "Intelligent Design", but the story doesn't need it. "Intelligent Design" is a light interlude, which is not meant as a bad thing. "Basement Magic" had meat to it. "Intelligent Design doesn't, but "Intelligent Design" is a fun read, watching God create with a child's joy. The section with the beetles is especially delightful.