000			02461cam a22003493u 4500
001			30583
003			UtSlPG
005			20260610133710.0
006			m
007			cr n
008			260607r2009||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d
040			_aUtSlPG
041		7	_aen _2iso639-1
050		4	_aPS
100	1		_aGarrett, Randall, _d1927-1987
245	1	4	_aThe Asses of Balaam
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 Analog Science Fact Fiction October 1961.
500			_aRelease date is 2009-12-02
508			_aProduced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
520			_a"The Asses of Balaam" by Randall Garrett is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of ecological balance and the responsibilities of intelligent species toward their environment, all set against a backdrop of an alien world inhabited by unique creatures. The novella employs a blend of humor and philosophical musings to delve into the complexities of evolution and survival in a managed ecosystem. The narrative follows Dodeth Pell, an official in charge of predator control on his planet, who discovers a new species dubbed the “wygorex.” Initially, concerns arise about this species disrupting the ecological balance, as they pose a threat to a native herbivore known as the hurkle. As Dodeth investigates further, he learns that these creatures exhibit behaviors suggesting intelligence, compelling him to rethink his initial assumptions. Eventually, the arrival of an alien ship suggests a deeper connection to the wider universe, challenging the notion of what constitutes intelligence and reinforcing the need for communication and understanding between species. The story concludes with the possibility of new beginnings as they confront their misconceptions and anticipate collaboration with the newcomers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534			_nOriginal publication data not identified
653			_aScience fiction
653			_aShort stories
700	1		_aSchoenherr, John, _d1935-2010
830		0	_aProduced from Analog Science Fact Fiction October 1961.
856	4	0	_uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30583
999			_c71429 _d71429