
A curious young man named Michael has spent his whole life within the cloistered walls of a Brotherhood, learning the rituals and teachings meant to keep society harmonious. When his father sends him on a 40‑credit tour of the wider United Universe, Michael steps onto a bustling transport shelf where strangers offer bright‑colored drinks, instant make‑up, and startling fashions that clash with his modest robes.
The journey quickly becomes a crash course in alien etiquette: a mellifluous voice warns him about Earth’s sacred taboos, while a fellow passenger explains the universal law that bans all forms of harm. As Michael watches the strange customs unfold, he begins to question why the Lodge exists at all and whether the peace of a uniform galaxy truly fits his restless spirit. This opening adventure blends witty world‑building with a thoughtful look at tradition versus curiosity, inviting listeners to join Michael as he navigates a sky‑borne tea tray of culture, identity, and the allure of the unknown.
Language
en
Duration
~31 minutes (29K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Jan 5, 2016
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1922–2000
Best known for clever, satirical science fiction, this New York writer also turned her hand to mysteries and crossword puzzles. Her stories appeared frequently in major genre magazines in the 1950s, and her work later ranged into mystery novels and other fiction.
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