Albert Einstein and Napoleon Bonaparte were trout fishing together along a small mountain stream when a sudden rain forced them to huddle together under a large cottonwood tree.
“I have always enjoyed the
rain,” Napoleon remarked as rain pelted the landscape around them. “The sound of it is not so different from
that of a marching army.”
“Army, yes.” Einstein said,
nodding. “I have always appreciated how
you suggested ‘An army marches on its stomach.’ At the root level, we all march on our
stomachs. It really is that simple.”
Napoleon did not respond
immediately, instead, he swished his fishing rod before him as if it were his
sword. “I have been thinking about the
universe,” Napoleon admitted at length.
“I have a root level question about that.”
“I am pretty good with the
universe,” said Albert Einstein.
Napoleon smote the last
invisible enemy soldier before him with an efficient swish of his fishing
rod. “Perhaps you can tell me. Why does the universe exist? Is there some necessity behind it?”
Einstein did not hesitate in
answering. “Ah, yes, there is the
question. The answer is situational. For the moment, the universe is required so rain
water can fall and replenish the creek, which provides a place for trout to
exist. And we, my friend, could not fish
but for the trout in this creek.”
—Mitchell Hegman
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