02381cam a22003613u 4500 73869 UtSlPG 20260610134717.0 m cr n 260607r20241958utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Mason, David, 1924-1974 Farewell message Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2024 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Science Fiction Adventures April 1958. Release date is 2024-06-19 Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Farewell Message" by David Mason is a science fiction story written in the late 1950s. The narrative revolves around an alien named V'gu, who arrives on Earth to study human civilization, which he finds primitive and full of conflict compared to the cooperative worlds he comes from. The book explores themes of superiority, the consequences of war, and the lessons that humanity can learn from other civilizations. In the story, V'gu's presence on Earth creates a mix of curiosity and tension as he observes human behaviors while studying cultural practices like marriage rites. His farewell speech unexpectedly takes a poignant turn when he realizes that a nova he sees in the sky marks a civilization's destruction due to war—a stark reminder of the potential fate awaiting humanity if it does not change its violent ways. As he grapples with this revelation, V'gu decides to extend his stay on Earth, reflecting a newfound connection with the planet and its people. This decision marks a shift from his previously detached and superior stance, hinting at a deeper understanding of human nature and the implications of coexistence. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: New York, NY: Royal Publications, Inc., 1958 Science fiction Short stories Human-alien encounters -- Fiction Earth (Planet) -- Fiction Produced from Science Fiction Adventures April 1958. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/73869 114594 114594