Earthbound

Captain Clifton has spent his life chasing the stars, and Earth feels like a tedious prison after the dangers and freedoms of deep space. Returning for a ceremonial appearance, he escapes a crowd of admirers and looks toward the heavens—only to meet an elderly man who shares his longing for distant worlds.

Ahasuerus has devoted fifty years to making space boots, yet repeated misfortune and a baffling command have kept him grounded. Moved by the old man’s regret, Clifton offers him a place aboard his ship, bound for Rigel. But there is something unsettling in Ahasuerus’s story, his strange name, and the brief glimpse behind his dark glasses. Their encounter sets the stage for a haunting science-fiction tale about ambition, fate, and the price of leaving Earth behind. With its contrast between human yearning and the vast indifference of space, this compact classic invites listeners into a mystery that begins on a quiet balcony and reaches far beyond the familiar world.