Give Me a Mystery...

 by Charlotte Bennardo

To me, the biggest mystery is the universe. There is still so much we don't understand, like it's creation, its future, if there are more particles and multiverses and species. Even with the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope, we can only see a small fraction. But that gives us food for our imaginations. That's probably why I wrote a science fiction space-based novel. I don't think humankind will ever solve every mystery of the universe, and that's astounding.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-and-black-galaxy-wallpaper-2150/

We also have so many mysteries here on our little blue planet. Take the oceans. Scientists are still discovering species in its depths. It's estimated that only five percent of the ocean has been explored, according to science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/how-much-ocean-explored.htm. Pretty shocking! We're on our way back to the moon, then going to Mars, and we've only explored five percent of our oceans?? What mysteries could be solved with further exploration? No wonder tales of fabulous beasts and underwater cities with lost civilizations are so captivating.

Photo by Irina Iriser: https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-multicolored-jellyfishes-1086584/

And what about other earth features like caves? Who doesn't love a good cave tour? I think of Journey to the Center of the Earth and other fabulous stories. What lies hidden beneath the ground? There's more than just dirt: there are dinosaur bones which reveal more extinct species, and gems from ancient earth eruptions, cities of lost civilizations, and spectacular features like the giant crystals discovered in Mexico. 

https://www.bing.com/images

We don't have to look far away-there are mysteries in our own human body. Think of the complexities of the human brain. According to weforum.org, we still understand little about how our brains work, how they process stimuli, control and regulate our bodies, and create. Add in the complexity of our circulatory, lymphatic, neurological, and others systems-we are walking miracles. This is reflected in such stories as Fantastic Voyage. If only we could shrink ourselves and explore the inside of our bodies! 

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-concrete-statue-of-man-under-the-light-bulb-3779021/

And it's not just us; I'd love to solve the mystery behind my cat. Does he see me as an equal, does he feel as many emotions as people do? What does he think about? Are some cats smarter than others? Could a cat commit a crime? What about all the other animals? This was the basis for my Evolution Revolution trilogy; could a squirrel learn simple machines, and then language? There are so many species and so much we need to learn about them. 

My Mink

So many mysteries, not enough time or science or research to solve them! The best part about any mystery, though, is that it creates a space for imagination and creativity for writers, movie makers, artists, and chats among friends. 

What will be the next great revelation?

It's a mystery to me.

  

Charlotte writes MG, YA, NA, and adult novels in sci fi, fantasy, contemporary, and paranormal genres. She is the author of the award-winning middle grade Evolution Revolution trilogy, Simple Machines, Simple Plans, and Simple Lessons. She co-authored the YA novels Blonde OPS, Sirenz, and Sirenz Back in Fashion. She has two short stories in the Beware the Little White Rabbit (Alice through the Wormhole) and Scare Me to Sleep (Faces in the Wood) anthologies. Having finished her MFA, she's applying what she learned and is working on several children's and adult novels, along with some short stories. She lives in NJ with her family and her floofy cat. When they trimmed the backyard tree, the crazy squirrel couple had to move out, but she is happy to report she has a new squirrel tenant along with a new pet rabbit (Bad Bunny).