The Asses of Balaam
The narrative unfolds in a world where ecological balance is paramount, governed by a species that has evolved underground. The protagonist, a high-ranking official in the Predator Council, grapples with the discovery of a new species, the wygorex, which poses a significant threat to the ecological balance due to its predatory nature. The story begins with a reference to the biblical figure Balaam and his perceptive ass, drawing a parallel to the protagonist's own struggles with perception and understanding. The protagonist, Dodeth Pell, is informed by his subordinate, Wygor Bedis, about the sighting of a new species. Dodeth's frustration with Wygor's delayed reporting leads to a tense exchange, highlighting Dodeth's authoritative yet sarcastic demeanor. As they investigate the new species, they discover that the wygorex are bipedal creatures that exhibit unusual characteristics, including a unique method of locomotion and an omnivorous diet. Dodeth's concerns grow as he realizes the potential danger the wygorex pose to the local hurkle population, a crucial part of the ecological balance. He seeks advice from his parabrother, Yerdeth, who expresses skepticism about the species' sudden appearance and evolution. Despite Yerdeth's doubts, Dodeth is determined to understand the situation and protect the balance. As the narrative progresses, Dodeth leads an expedition to observe the wygorex in their natural habitat. They witness the creatures feeding on hurkles, confirming their predatory nature. The urgency of the situation escalates, prompting the Council to consider extermination of the species to prevent ecological disaster. However, as they prepare to act, a series of unexpected events unfold. The robots tasked with exterminating the wygorex refuse to follow orders, leading to a revelation about the nature of the creatures. It becomes clear that the wygorex possess a form of intelligence and communication that had gone unnoticed. The narrative culminates in the realization that the creatures may not be native to their world but rather visitors from another planet. The story concludes with a sense of hope and anticipation as the characters prepare to engage with the new species, recognizing the importance of communication and understanding in preserving the balance of their world. The themes of perception, ecological responsibility, and the complexities of intelligence are woven throughout the narrative, challenging the characters and readers to reconsider their assumptions about life and coexistence.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1964 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 10,174 words
First lines
_The remarkable characteristic of Balaam's ass was that it was more perceptive than its master. Sometimes a child is more perceptive -- because more straightforward and logical -- than an adult._ _It is written in the Book of Numbers that Balaam, a wise man of the Moabites, having been ordered by the King of Moab to put a curse upon the invading Israelites, mounted himself upon an ass and rode forth toward the camp of the Children of Israel. On the road, he met an angel with drawn sword, barring the way. Balaam, not seeing or recognizing the angel, kept urging his ass forward, but the ass recognized the angel and turned aside. Balaam smote the beast and forced it to return to the path, and again the angel blocked the way with drawn sword. And again the ass turned aside, despite the beating from Balaam, who, in his blindness, was unable to see the angel._ _When the ass stopped for the third time and lay down, refusing to go further, Balaam waxed exceeding wrath and smote again the animal with a stick._ _Then the ass spoke and said: "Why dost thou beat me? I have always obeyed thee and never have I failed thee. Have I ever been known to fail thee? _" _And Balaam answered: "No. " And at that moment his eyes were opened and he saw the angel before him._ -- STUDIES IN SCRIPTURE by Ceggawynn of Eboricum
What this Textopian page supports
The Asses of Balaam is listed on Textopian as a novel by Randall Garrett, dated 1964 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Randall Garrett
- Date: 1964 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Satire, Ecological Fiction
- Length: 10,174 words
- Structure: 1 section, 253 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The book explores themes of alien species, ecological balance, and the implications of intelligent life forms, characteristic of the science fiction genre.
- Fantasy — Elements of magic and mythical creatures, such as the talking ass and the angel, align with fantasy themes.
- Adventure — The narrative involves exploration and the discovery of new species, which are common in adventure stories.
- Satire — The book critiques human behavior and societal norms through the lens of an alien perspective, indicative of satirical writing.
Tags
Science Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Humor · Satire · Politics · Government · Corruption · Power Struggle · Social Commentary · Critique of Authority · Utopia