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001 29750
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040 _aUtSlPG
041 7 _aen
_2iso639-1
050 4 _aPS
100 1 _aBixby, Jerome,
_d1923-1998
245 1 0 _aZen
264 1 _aSalt Lake City, UT :
_bProject Gutenberg,
_c2009
300 _a1 online resource :
_bmultiple file formats
336 _atext
_btxt
_2rdacontent
337 _acomputer
_bc
_2rdamedia
338 _aonline resource
_bcr
_2rdacarrier
490 1 _aProduced from Galaxy Science Fiction October 1952.
500 _aRelease date is 2009-08-21
508 _aProduced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
520 _a"Zen" by Jerome Bixby is a science fiction short story written in the early 1950s. The narrative unfolds in a distant future where a team of scientists explores the asteroid Vesta, seeking signs of life and remnants of extraterrestrial civilizations. The story delves into themes of intelligence, isolation, and the longing for companionship, centering around a unique encounter between humans and a remarkable alien species known as the Zen. The protagonist, David Koontz, a paleontologist, discovers a singular Zen creature, the last of its kind, living in solitude after the destruction of its home planet, Sorn. Their poignant interaction reveals the Zen's struggle with loneliness and survival, as she yearns for companionship after three thousand years of isolation. Koontz learns about her incredible resilience and intelligence but is faced with her desperate request for death, unable to end her own suffering. Eventually, the arrival of another Zen offers a glimmer of hope for their species’ continuity. As the story unfolds, it not only highlights the intrinsic value of life but also raises questions about the responsibilities of advanced civilizations toward one another. The resolution of the tale leads to a surprising resurgence of the Zen population, emphasizing the unpredictability and beauty of life amidst adversity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534 _nOriginal publication data not identified
653 _aScience fiction
653 _aShort stories
700 1 _aAshman, William
830 0 _aProduced from Galaxy Science Fiction October 1952.
856 4 0 _uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29750
999 _c70598
_d70598