000 02678cam a22003733u 4500
001 32724
003 UtSlPG
005 20260610133739.0
006 m
007 cr n
008 260607r2010||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d
040 _aUtSlPG
041 7 _aen
_2iso639-1
050 4 _aPS
100 1 _aHoskins, Robert,
_d1933-1993
245 1 0 _aFeet of Clay
264 1 _aSalt Lake City, UT :
_bProject Gutenberg,
_c2010
300 _a1 online resource :
_bmultiple file formats
336 _atext
_btxt
_2rdacontent
337 _acomputer
_bc
_2rdamedia
338 _aonline resource
_bcr
_2rdacarrier
490 1 _aProduced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
500 _aRelease date is 2010-06-07
508 _aProduced by Greg Weeks, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
520 _a"Feet of Clay" by Phillip Hoskins is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The story explores themes of cultural misunderstanding and the consequences of crossing alien boundaries, focusing on a human medic who attempts to help a foreign civilization in dire need. The narrative examines how the protagonist’s well-intentioned actions inadvertently complicate the relationship between his own species and the local aliens, illustrating the challenges of interstellar diplomacy and ethical medical practices. The plot revolves around Dillon, an employee of Extrasol Traders, stationed on the alien planet of Kash. As a series of medical emergencies arise due to the absence of the local priest, Dillon steps in to use his Earthly knowledge and supplies, leading the natives to view him as a god-like figure. Initially successful, he quickly finds himself in a precarious position when a local's death undermines his standing as a miracle worker. The situation escalates into a conflict between Dillon's actions and the authority of the priesthood, culminating in a dramatic confrontation over cultural beliefs and the consequences of his meddling in their society. Ultimately, the story offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of faith, power dynamics, and the ethical dilemmas faced when one tries to provide help in a context they do not fully understand. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534 _nOriginal publication data not identified
653 _aScience fiction
653 _aShort stories
653 _aExtraterrestrial beings -- Fiction
653 _aHuman-alien encounters -- Fiction
700 1 _aOrban, Paul,
_d1896-1974
830 0 _aProduced from If Worlds of Science Fiction February 1958.
856 4 0 _uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/32724
999 _c73570
_d73570