Peterson, a crew member of a spaceship visiting Mars buys an enormous pig-like creature known as a wub from a native just before departure. Franco, his captain, is worried about the extra weight, but seems more concerened about its taste. However, after takeoff, the crew realizes that the wub is a very intelligent creature, even capable of telepathy. Peterson and the wub spend time discussing mythological figures and the travels of Odysseus. Captain Franco bursts in and insists on killing and eating the wub. The crew is very much opposed to killing the sensitive creature, but Franco still makes a meal out of him. At the end of it though, the wub speaks from beyond the dinner table, continuing his prior conversation out of Captain Franco's body.
An essay by Lord RC Philip K. Dick's first published short story, "BeyondLies The Wub" (PLANET STORIES, July 1952), is typical in one regard at least to most of his work: it lends itself to various interpretations and much analysis.
Nor is he persuaded otherwise when the wub speaks to him in cultured tones of Philosophy and The Arts -- while slobbering all over the floor of the spaceship.
And indeed the wub is fine eating for the Captain at the end of the tale.
Feeds |
Contact