Friday, February 11, 2011

Arthur C. Clarke and the world's shortest short story

This incredibly short story was sent by Arthur C. Clarke to the editor of Analog magazine in March of 1984, along with a short handwritten note on its cover. Transcript follows:

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Transcript

This is the only short story I've written in ten years or so.

I think you'll agree that they don't come much shorter.

(Signed, 'Arthur C Clarke')

21 Mar 84

(Appearing in Analog, ? 1984)

© Arthur C Clarke 1984


The Story

siseneG
by
Arthur C Clarke

And God said: DELETE lines One to Aleph. LOAD. RUN.
And the Universe ceased to exist.

Then he pondered for a few aeons, sighed, and added: ERASE.
It never had existed.

Found at Letters of Note via Coudal Partners

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