Q: Duckbilled platypus – result of divine distraction, or alternate universe crossover?
A: The Aboriginal Australians have several theories on the origin of this noble monotreme. Generally, these involve a duck mating with a water-rat. This is true enough, but it leaves out that these creatures were biologically compatible only because the duck in question was from a universe where birds are mammals. The crossover event is believed to have coincided with the formation of the Chicxulub crater. It is unknown what else, if anything, crossed alongside.
J. Tynan Burke’s story “The Unlucky Few Who Must Not Cast”
in Metaphorosis Friday, 19 November 2021.
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