“Beyond Lies the Wub” July 1952

Captain Franco, Peterson, and the rest of the crew are collecting animals on Mars, presumably to eat, as there is talk of their need for the creatures and the desirability of organizing hunts. Peterson personally buys a pig-like creature called a wub. The wub would strongly prefer not to be eaten and says so. He prefers discussion, eating, and relaxation. He is philosophical. Peterson enjoys talking with him, but Franco’s desire for wub-pork is too great. The wub insists that Franco look him in the eye while killing him. Everyone glumly sits around the table, scarcely eating, while Franco enjoys his meal, especially the wub flesh, very much. It soon becomes clear that the ancient creature who had inhabited the body of the wub and had always wanted to taste the flesh of the wub, now inhabits Franco’s body. Presumably they traded places during the slaughter. He continues in his passion for food and philosophical discussion, shocking Peterson as the truth becomes apparent to him.

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