Khepri

[Lizzie]

Khepri

Look at the dung beetle; -- Loving the Biblical tie in to the Egyptian myth -- right off the bat, you have the attention of this mythology nerd

pushing his little ball of shit -- Yes. Brings the mighty scarab god down to earth, so to speak -- makes me feel close to this little guy. I'm rooting for him now. 
in a perfect straight line -- As the Egyptians were master astronomers, I'm loving the space references 
whatever obstacle or incline
might tempt him to veer. -- I like how this piece is reading a bit like a parable -- teaching morals, but making you think. There's more than one possible lesson to be learned. 
 
The Milky Way his map, -- He's both grand and adorable. A relatable and approachable god, which is refreshing. 
his intent both simple and alien-- -- Here, I would consider something more obviously earth-related than 'simple' to contrast with 'alien,' unless there's something I'm missing.  
his godlike will -- If you really want to be edgy, you could capitalize Will. Some versions of the myth see the scarab god as representing Ra, and Ra is said to be self created by the force of his own willpower coming out of the void. Sort of an "in the beginning was the Word" kind of thing. 
once worshipped. -- might be an opportunity to show worship by referencing examples of Egyptian offerings to their gods 

Are you not more valuable than he? -- Wonderful ending. No easy answers here, just as with parables. As Neil Degrasse Tyson says, "Learn to love the questions." 




*** with appropriate credit to Matthew 6:26

I love everything about this. I can't remember where I read it, but, because scarabs lay their eggs inside the balls of dung, and the eggs are too small to be seen when they are laid, it appears as if the baby scarabs are emerging from the dung as if they are creating themselves. Fun fact.   

This one's a keeper.