At that time I was amused. Prime had managed to construct a few rather prosaic molecules, but none of them could accomplish self-growth by the usual absorption of radiant energy. I asked his purpose in such experimentation.
He answered, "What was your purpose in creating life in me?"
To compare his own motives with those of my gracious director was so absurdly egotistical that I made a note to check back with this same individual on my next round. Amusement is rare in my occupation, as you can conceive, and I appreciated the humor of this supremely confident bit of carbon trash, thinking he could play creator!
His project seemed harmless, so I left without disturbing him further.
On my next call I did search out Prime again, and great was my surprise to discover that not only had he managed to invest automatic growth and reproduction into a few complex molecules, but that he had attacked the problem from an entirely new concept, so far as I have yet determined.
On the southern tip of the land continent where I discovered Prime, still near the ocean, I found him surrounded with a growth which he called vegetation. Then he bade me examine the content of the salt water, and I beheld tiny aquatic creatures of many varieties, some active, some vegetative, but all reproducing with lusty prolificity.
"What are these land growths?" I asked.
He proudly replied, "I call them lichens and mosses."
"But how do they absorb energy from your sun?"