
Part 1
Xhanph, an accredited envoy from the distant world of Gfun, finally reaches Earth after a lonely voyage across the stars. He envisions crowds, applause, and dignitaries eager to shake his many‑tentacled hands, convinced his landing will become a historic celebration. Instead, his sleek craft touches down in a bustling square where the locals barely glance his way.
Undeterred, the alien repeats polite greetings, hoping a simple message of friendship will spark curiosity. The people rush past, muttering incomprehensible words, their indifference striking him like a physical blow. As Xhanph wrestles with bewilderment and mounting frustration, the story offers a witty, outsider’s view of human routine and the gap between expectation and reality.
The narrative balances humor with a subtle critique, inviting listeners to reflect on how easily extraordinary events can be brushed aside in everyday life. As Xhanph searches for a place where his message might be heard, the story hints at larger questions about communication, empathy, and what it means to be truly noticed.
Language
en
Duration
~18 minutes (18K 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
2019-01-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1906–1980
A biochemist by profession and an imaginative storyteller by instinct, he moved easily between the lab, pulp science fiction, and comic books. He is especially remembered for helping create enduring comics characters while also writing lively adventure stories for younger readers.
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