I think you humans can appreciate that." He watched as one of the staff arose and walked to a table at the side of the room pouring himself a cup of coffee. Despite all their sophistication, they just want to be loved and they can't handle rejection. In addition to being their translator I serve as a filter to shield their refined sensibilities-but still I must be accurate and complete. "The Xxlepis find it difficult dealing with other cultures, so they take great care to insulate themselves. Of course, in my humble opinion, that makes for very short conversations." It was hard to tell if Mooba was joking so no one laughed. So speaking only at the end of a conversation is a sign of respect. They believe that by saying less, what is said increases in value. The Xxlepis themselves rarely speak because words to them are sacred. "It's best, Sir President, to allow me to do all the talking, particularly in the beginning. is to do nothing." He paused for emphasis. Some of your human cultures already practice that formality. Then he abruptly began, "The first thing to do when introduced.is to bow. Standing at the back of the room Mooba waited for everyone to get settled. It unnerved the President and particularly his secret agents. Without anyone noticing, he had left the spaceship, slipped through a ring of military, a mob of reporters and White House staff to find the secured meeting room no one had told him about the day before. Instead, when the President with his staff and secret agents arrived at the meeting room, Mooba was already there. The next day two soldiers were sent to escort Mooba back to the White House, but he wasn't on the spaceship. "Fair enough" the President agreed, but his expression was one of puzzlement. And if you offend them you will not reap the benefits they can bestow." Although highly evolved intellectually, the Xxlepis are emotionally fragile and quick to perceive imaginary insults if decorum isn't carefully followed. Mooba continued, "For purposes of decorum, tomorrow I will teach you about the Xxlepis." His top feathers suddenly stiffened. The President's eyebrows lifted at such a statement. And yours is also the only species believing themselves in charge." There are some others more appealing, but yours is the most intelligent. I'm sorry to inform you that yours is not the only species I considered for contact on this planet. "I'll admit to a few, but none that wasn't rectified. Because I'm thorough I rarely make mistakes." He shrugged. The President smiled halfheartedly, "Should I find that comforting?" I know all there is to know about all of you, in my humble opinion." I must tell you that the Xxlepis ship has been moored at the edge of your solar system for a year now while I've been studying your languages and customs on their behalf. My kind are respected throughout the universe as the finest of translators. It paused to scratch the base of a head feather. Please realize that you're dealing with beings of such power that their purpose must be friendly or you'd have already been destroyed in my humble estimation." "President and Chief Commander, I humbly come to you as ambassador facilitator for an ancient and distinguished race. Standing before the President of the United States, who was seated at his desk in the oval office surrounded by half a dozen secret agents, the little being bowed. Then in perfect English with a high-pitched voice, it said, "Take me to your esteemed leader."Īfter much military and political consternation, the request was granted. Walking to the nearest soldier, it stopped short, its two unnaturally large eyes blinking twice. But it moved like a human and wore a one-piece uniform of a gold metallic material that sparkled in the sun. And there were feather-like appendages growing from its head as well as from what could have been a tail if it were a bird. About three feet tall, it had a large head atop a small body with two spindly legs. eastern time, a small door opened in the side of the craft and a human-like creature stepped out.Īs beings go, it wasn't that alarming. Both Congress and the United Nations called emergency sessions as a frightened world held its breath.Īt exactly 5:00 p.m. The President was evacuated and then the military moved in with troops, tanks and helicopters. It rested motionless for the next five hours while the White House hummed with activity. It is also a metaphor for human nature and our success or failure in how cultures interact.Īt high noon a large spaceship floated gently down out of a blue sky to land on the front lawn of the White House. Science fiction is more than just supposition about future science, technology, and encounters with unknown life forms. Second Thoughts - from Children's Storybooks Online
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