Cry from a Far Planet

by Tom Godwin

The problem of separating the friends from the enemies was a major one in the conquest of space as many a dead spacer could have testified. A tough job when you could see an alien and judge appearances; far tougher when they were only whispers on the wind. A tale from the Golden Age of Science Fiction, originally published in the September 1958 issue of Amazing Science Fiction Stories!

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 1951

About the author

Tom Godwin (1915 - 1980) was a science fiction author. Godwin published three novels and thirty short stories. His controversial hard SF short story "The Cold Equations" is a notable in the mid-1950s science fiction genre. He also had three novels published, but these stayed more firmly in John W. Campbell's preferred styles and are less notable. Graduated from Bay Village High School in Bay Village, Ohio.

Reviews

[Franky · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It has been only three years since the fifteen heavily armed Exploration Ships set out to lead the way for Terran expansion across the galaxy, to answer a cry from far planets, and to find all the worlds that held intelligent life. That was the ultimate goal of the Plan…”

This was my first venture into reading any Tom Godwin, but I will be looking for more of his works as I was pretty impressed with his short story “Cry From a Far Planet.” I think there is a perfect fusion of philosophical points and attention to prevalent themes such as mistrust vs. trust and the complications and barriers of communication between Earth and distant planets.

Complications arise when one of the natives of the planet, Throon, is dying from exposure to radiation. One of the Terran explorers, Paul, feels responsible for this mishap and Throon’s accidental exposure and wants to help him get the medical help he needs. However, the communication barrier to achieve this now complicates this situation immensely: “And he was sure of another thing: That whatever he had said to them, it was not what he had thought he was saying.”

He wants to show the natives that he has the best intentions in mind, but how can he achieve this?

Another element of the story focuses on Paul’s communications with a telepathic creature. The ending of the story leaves a lot of room for reflection and thought.

I will be looking forward to checking out more works from this author.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the Sci Fi I watch on TV has a mechanism for cross species communication. You come to accept that everyone will be able to speak to each other. And in English too.
In this story, earth has yet to develop the ability to translate the words of alien civilisations. This creates a great deal of trouble for space travellers trying to meet new people and make friends.
The story has a cool plot twist in the final moments, which lifted it from a fairly mediocre tale, to one with a satisfying and thought provoking ending.

[Craig Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

My score of 4 out of 5 stars isn't in any way related to the story or the narration. It's just that I'm embarrassed to be a human when after this story ends, because I can totally see this being real.

[Drew McCaffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun overall with plenty to dig into despite its short length.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

scifi short story

[Susan Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

✔️ Published in Amazing Science Fiction Stories, September 1958.

Something moved at the control board, black and alien, standing tall as a man on short hind legs. Yellow eyes blazed in a feline face. . . . The eyes of the Varn looked into his and beyond him; beautiful, expressionless, like polished gold.

As advanced as Earth is, its people still do not have the ability to translate communications from alien civilizations; they must rely otherwise. Of course, this lacking in communication causes bumps in the road for astronauts, and it leads to a dénouement that shocked me. It is, indeed, though provoking to say the least without giving it all away to the universe.

We have already set the example of faith in you by asking to go with you. I told you we did not intend to hurt your brother and I told you we saw the stars only as the little wild animals saw them. The years in the dark caves—you do not understand—"

I like Tom Godwin’s writing style, as it flows and ebbs well. Cry from a Far Planet is a good story.

🟤 Project Gutenberg

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the potential complications of contact with alien civilizations.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly poignant and thought provoking short story.