Regulations by Murray Leinster
The narrative unfolds on the planet Oryx, where two human characters, Fahnes and Boles, navigate the complexities of trade and native customs. Boles is preparing for a journey to a trading center, adhering strictly to regulations that govern interactions with the local Honkie population, who have a unique religion centered around a deity known as the dew-god. Fahnes, however, is skeptical of these regulations and the belief system of the Honkies, contemplating the idea of sabotaging Boles' trip and the trading post itself. Fahnes has been on Oryx for five months and possesses knowledge that Boles lacks. He has already broken regulations by photographing the dew-god, which is considered a sacred entity by the Honkies. This act of defiance fuels his desire to further disrupt the status quo. He plans to let Boles return to find the trading post in ruins, believing it would teach Boles a lesson about the foolishness of adhering to regulations. As Boles departs, Fahnes prepares for his own scheme, which involves using a flame-rifle to destroy the Honkie village and loot the temple of the dew-god, convinced that it holds valuable treasures. He believes that the Honkies have been offering precious stones to their deity for generations, and he intends to seize these riches for himself. Upon reaching the village, Fahnes finds the Honkies unresponsive to his presence, as they are following their religious customs by pretending not to see him. This only angers him further, leading him to unleash destruction upon their homes. He fires the flame-rifle multiple times, believing that this will force the Honkies to react and reveal their treasures. However, Fahnes' greed and disregard for the Honkie religion lead to his downfall. He discovers that the temple contains a pool filled with dew, which the Honkies consider sacred. In his reckless pursuit of the stones, he jumps into the pool, only to find himself unable to escape and ultimately drowning. Boles, upon returning, learns of Fahnes' fate from a Honkie chief. The chief explains that the Honkies had not intervened because they were following their laws, which forbade them from acknowledging Fahnes' sacrilege. Boles reflects on the absurdity of the situation, realizing that Fahnes' demise was a result of his own foolishness and failure to respect the regulations that govern their interactions with the Honkies. The story concludes with Boles expressing frustration over the consequences of Fahnes' actions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to regulations in their dealings with the native population. The narrative serves as a commentary on the clash between human greed and the cultural practices of indigenous peoples, highlighting the potential consequences of disregarding established norms and beliefs.
By Murray Leinster · First published 1940 · Genre: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Adventure · 6,705 words
First lines
It was only the dew-god making a monstrous noise off in the darkness, / but Fahnes allowed his eyes to open and he halfway sat up. There was a / shaded light over by Boles' bunk, and Boles was fussily arranging his / kit for a journey to the trading-center in the Lamphian hills. Food, / canteens, and the trading-stuff, these things would be left at the / untended mart in exchange for a new lot of _llossa_ fiber, which / on Earth was equal in exchange pound for pound with platinum.
Fahnes made an apologetic noise as Boles whirled at his movement. Boles / snorted indignantly.
"It's just one of them gods," he said scornfully. "They make a racket / like that before dawn every mornin'."
What this Textopian page supports
Regulations is listed on Textopian as a short story by Murray Leinster, dated 1940 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Murray Leinster
- Date: 1940 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Adventure, Satire, Drama
- Length: 6,705 words
- Structure: 1 section, 88 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Regulations by Murray Leinster
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- The Machine Stops by E. M. Forster
- This World Is Taboo by Murray Leinster
- The Sky Is Falling by Lester Del Rey
- Dont Get Technatal by Ray Bradbury
- The Good Seed by Mack Reynolds
- Metropolis by Thea Von Harbou
Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set on an alien planet, Oryx, featuring extraterrestrial beings and advanced technology, typical of the science fiction genre.
- Speculative Fiction — The narrative explores hypothetical scenarios regarding human interaction with alien cultures and the consequences of violating their customs.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with tension and conflict, driven by personal ambition and the desire for wealth.
- Satire — The story critiques human arrogance and the folly of disregarding cultural regulations, using humor and irony to highlight these themes.
Tags
Science Fiction · Dystopian · Government Control · Rebellion · Utopia · Societal Commentary · Future Society · Regulation · Freedom · Conformity · Individuality · Totalitarianism