"Intelligent Design" by Ellen Klages

"Intelligent Design" by Ellen Klages is a delightful look at one of the more light-hearted possibilities of the creation of the universe. 

God likes to spend his time in the void making stars.  His grandmother, Nanadeus, is busy doing the grunt-work of creation, making bugs and stirring the oceans.

This story is more akin to the creation myths of primitive cultures, where the creator takes a more active role in creation.  God and Nanadeus roll clay and flick stones to set their universe into motion.  God is characterized as a child, which I thought was an especially nice touch.  He exhibits an unfettered joy in his work that seems so natural in a child.  He creates without calculation and moves on to the next project, while Nanadeus corrals his work into a coherent whole.

Unless the editors of Strange Horizons have something truly astounding up their sleeves—which is entirely possible—"Intelligent Design" will be my favorite story from them this year.