On the Fourth Planet

by J.F. Bone

To Kworn the object was a roadblock, threatening his life. But it was also a high road to a magnificent future!

Genres: Science Fiction

28 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2017

About the author

Jesse Franklin Bone was an American author and veterinarian whose writing gained prominence during the 'Golden Age of Science-Fiction' in the 1950's. His short-story Triggerman was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1959.

Following his college graduation, Jesse served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel and retiring in 1976. After the war, he returned to Washington State College and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

In addition to his science fiction books and short stories, he also authored the textbook "Animal Anatomy and Physiology," which was used widely in universities throughout the United States and internationally.

Jesse Franklin Bone published under the pseudonyms Jesse F. Bone, J.F. Bone and Jesse Bone.

Reviews

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scifi, short story by a master, well done!!

[Chaz Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to research when this was written, as I found it in an anthology: 1963. This date makes it more remarkable,for its prediction. What I also discovered, was the end image, also absent from the anthology. The image was the surprise ending, without which the story remains a mystery. The image shows the writing on the side of the mysterious object "NASA." Not only does the story tell of a Mars lander, the lander is also equipped with the means to provide a nutrient to a lifeform. Nice little story.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting first contact story that doesn’t go very well but one creature learns a lot. I suspect the author had spent a lot of time in the lab looking under the microscope when he wrote this one.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as part of The 11th Science Fiction Megapack. It was very interesting with will developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the conclustion. 2023

[Forked Radish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very hungry slug? Cute.