Regeneration

"Regeneration" by Charles Dye is a science fiction story that throws readers into a world where civilization has crumbled, and small tribes struggle to survive, clinging to relics of the past. The story follows Builder, a determined elderly man who guides his tribe towards progress and order, trying to rebuild some semblance of what was lost. He faces a challenge in Thougor, who has manipulated faith in a rediscovered technology, an automatic dishwasher, turning it into a god named Thor. This conflict heats up as Builder pushes forward with the construction of a dam, a practical solution for the tribe's future, while Thougor strengthens his power through faith and ritual. The tension between reason and superstition builds, leading to a confrontation, a fight for the future of the tribe, and some startling realities about their "god". In this world of shattered technology and emerging beliefs, the narrative explores, with clever irony, humanity’s propensity to distort understanding and repeat past mistakes.