An elderly man named Jell lives a reclusive life on a riverbank in Florida, where he enjoys fishing and telling fantastical stories to local children. Unbeknownst to his neighbors, he is a retired spaceman from an advanced civilization that prohibits contact with less developed worlds like Earth. Jell possesses a remarkable device known as the Box, which can duplicate any matter and transmit items from his home planet, allowing him to live independently without needing to engage with the outside world. Initially, Jell finds joy in his new life, relishing the freedom and beauty of Earth. However, he soon faces moral dilemmas as he encounters various temptations that challenge his commitment to non-interference. The first temptation arises when he struggles with the abundance of insects in Florida, realizing he could easily eliminate them with technology from his home world but refraining due to the potential ecological consequences. As drought strikes Florida, Jell grapples with the urge to use the Box to create rain, understanding that such an act could disrupt the natural balance. His resolve is tested further when a young boy named Charlie brings his dead dog, Oscar, to Jell, expecting him to fix it. Jell has the means to duplicate the dog but chooses not to, fearing the implications of his actions. The situation escalates when Linda, another child, falls gravely ill. Jell recognizes that he cannot stand by while he has the power to help. He ultimately decides to use the Box to obtain a serum that could save her life, fully aware that this act will reveal his existence to his people, who will come for him. In a final act of defiance against his own principles, Jell duplicates the serum and distributes it to the children in the neighborhood, along with other items to alleviate various local issues. He makes it rain, knowing it will lead to his capture, but feeling that the good he has done outweighs the consequences. As he awaits the arrival of his people, he reflects on the beauty of Earth and the lives he has touched, accepting his fate with a sense of fulfillment.
By Michael Shaara · First published 1977 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction