Riya's Foundling

Riya's Foundling

By

4
(2 Reviews)
Riya's Foundling by Algirdas Jonas Budrys

Published:

1953

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1,724

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Riya's Foundling

By

4
(2 Reviews)
Now, if the animal we know as a cow were to evolve into a creature with near-human intelligence, so that she thought of herself as a "person" ...

Book Excerpt

putations were fed in Phildee's rational centers. The Universe--and Earth--were closed to him. He must remain here.

But human children could not survive in this environment.

He had to find a solution--instantly.

He clinched his fists, feeling his arm muscles quiver.

His lower lip was pulled into his mouth, and his teeth sank in.

The diagram--the pattern--bigger--stronger--try--try--this is not real--this is real: brown earth, white clouds, blue sky--try--mouth full of warm salt ...

F is for Phildee! O is for Out! R is for Riya! T is for Topology! H is for happiness and home!

* * * * *

Riya shook herself. She stood in the furrows of a plowed field, her eyes vacant with bewilderment. She stared uncomprehendingly at the walls and the radar tower, the concrete shoulders of the air raid bunkers. She saw antiaircraft quick-firers being hastily cranked around and down at her, heard Phildee's shout that saved