Sorry: Wrong Dimension
A young mother experiences an unusual day when her baby, who has not cried, is discovered to be playing with an invisible creature. This creature, referred to as a "monster," is revealed to be a friendly entity from another dimension, which only the baby can see. The mother, along with her neighbor, becomes increasingly concerned about the implications of this creature's presence and the potential dangers it poses. As they attempt to understand the situation, they find themselves trapped in their home, surrounded by a mysterious grey steam that obscures the outside world. The mother tries to contact her husband for help, but encounters a strange operator who informs her that she has the wrong dimension. This revelation leads to a series of comedic and chaotic events as the women grapple with their predicament. Two men from the future arrive, claiming to be there to retrieve the creature, which they identify as a "Drinko." The men, however, are not what they seem, and their intentions are questionable. The mother refuses to relinquish the creature, which has brought joy to her baby, and instead offers a small sum of money in exchange for its care. Tensions rise as the men attempt to assert their authority, leading to a confrontation. The mother, fueled by her protective instincts, fights back, resulting in her being knocked unconscious. Upon waking, she discovers that her baby is crying again, prompting her to take action to recover the creature. In a twist of fate, she manages to contact the dimension police, who apprehend the two men and return the Drinko to her. The police commend her for her bravery and resourcefulness, and they explain the complexities of the dimension system. After resolving the situation, the grey steam dissipates, and the women are returned to their normal lives. The story concludes with the mother reflecting on her extraordinary day, which she presents as a mundane experience to her husband, emphasizing the routine nature of her life as a housewife despite the fantastical events that transpired. The narrative explores themes of motherhood, the unknown, and the intersection of the ordinary with the extraordinary, all while maintaining a humorous tone.
By Ross Rocklynne · First published 1954 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Humor · 4,024 words
First lines
_So the baby had a pet monster. And so nobody but baby could see it. And so a couple of men dropped out of thin air to check and see if the monster was licensed or not. So what's strange about that? _
What this Textopian page supports
Sorry: Wrong Dimension is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ross Rocklynne, dated 1954 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ross Rocklynne
- Date: 1954 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Humor, Domestic Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 4,024 words
- Structure: 1 section, 88 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Sorry: Wrong Dimension by Ross Rocklynne
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around interdimensional travel and the existence of a creature from another dimension, which are central themes in science fiction.
- Fantasy — The presence of an invisible monster and the fantastical elements of the story contribute to its classification as fantasy.
- Humor — The writing style includes comedic elements, particularly in the interactions between characters and the absurdity of the situation.
- Domestic Fiction — The story focuses on domestic life, motherhood, and the challenges faced by the protagonist in her home environment.
Tags
science fiction · alternate dimensions · time travel · humor · adventure · parallel universes · short stories · speculative fiction · fantasy · narrative twist · imagination · cosmic exploration