
In a bustling galactic courtroom, a weary lawyer finds himself defending a most unlikely client: a green, snow‑ball‑like alien known only as a “bugbreeder.” The Space Zoning Commissioners, already irritable from a recent fire‑hazard case, are ready to hear the plea that this strange, bacteria‑cultivating race deserves to keep its home on Asteroid 4722. As the hearing unfolds, the lawyer must translate the peculiar habits of the bugbreeders into something the human‑shaped judges can grasp, all while battling bureaucratic skepticism.
The scene shifts to a table of curious jars filled with mauve fungus, fermented drinks, and other bio‑engineered delicacies produced without traditional raw materials. When the commissioners cautiously sample the alien fare, the flavors begin to bridge the gap between species, hinting at a broader cultural value hidden in the bugs’ humble work. This witty, courtroom‑driven satire invites listeners to consider how even the most unfamiliar lifeforms might contribute to a shared galactic community.
Language
en
Duration
~21 minutes (20K 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
2019-12-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Known for brisk, witty science fiction, this mid-century writer filled short stories with strange ideas, sly humor, and a feel for magazine-era adventure. Several of the works later entered the public domain and have found new life with modern readers and listeners.
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