The Leaf by Robert F. Young (1963)
The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth has been invaded by alien hunters. The protagonist, a man who once enjoyed hunting squirrels in the woods, finds himself in a desperate situation, hiding from these extraterrestrial hunters. The narrative juxtaposes his past leisurely hunting experiences with his current predicament, where he is now the prey. The aliens, equipped with advanced technology and silver guns, hunt humans who have fled to the forests for refuge after the destruction of cities worldwide. The protagonist reflects on the irony of his situation, recalling how he once took pleasure in shooting squirrels, and now he must rely on the trees for survival, much like the animals he once hunted. The story explores themes of survival, fear, and the reversal of roles between hunter and hunted, as the protagonist grapples with the reality of being pursued by an inhuman force.
By Robert F. Young · First published 1963 · Genre: Post-apocalyptic Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction · 1,838 words
First lines
Even his present desperate situation couldn't spoil his memories of other days in the woods: like the lovely, lazy day he shot eleven squirrels.
He could remember the afternoon as if it were yesterday. It wasn't, of course -- actually it had been several years back. It had been around the middle of autumn, about the time when the last incarnadine leaves were making their fluttering journeys earthward. He had taken his .22 and gone into the woods where the hickory trees were, and he had settled himself comfortably against the shaggy trunk of one of the hickories, the .22 balanced across his sprawled knees. Then he had waited.
What this Textopian page supports
The Leaf is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert F. Young, dated 1963 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Robert F. Young
- Date: 1963 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Post-apocalyptic Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Horror, Survival Fiction
- Length: 1,838 words
- Structure: 1 section, 32 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Leaf by Robert F. Young
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Leaf?
- How does this short story by Robert F. Young fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Post-apocalyptic Fiction first become important in the reading?
Genres
- Post-apocalyptic Fiction — The narrative centers on the collapse of civilization, with cities destroyed and humanity in disarray, indicative of a post-apocalyptic setting.
- Science Fiction — The inclusion of an alien invasion element, with references to Martians and otherworldly threats, aligns the work with science fiction.
- Dystopian Fiction — The oppressive atmosphere, societal breakdown, and the portrayal of a grim future contribute to a dystopian tone.
- Horror — The pervasive sense of terror, the inhuman threat of the hunters, and the unsettling mood interweave horror elements into the narrative.
Tags
science fiction · speculative · allegorical · environment · transformation · metaphor · nature · isolation · existential · psychological · symbolism · dystopian