A New World

The warm, stuffy capsule had been cosy at first but after more than eight months in it he had discovered that “cosy” was not necessarily the best word for such a small, round space. At first he had been enthusiastic about the self-feeding device and the mostly restful lifestyle that would require little thought or action on his part, but as time went on the cramped quarters weighed on his patience. Naturally active, he yearned to finish this monotonous phase, and begin exploring.

Sinking deeply into the stretchy walls of his transportation, a feature that had been enjoyed by others for centuries before he existed, he remembered a time when the walls had seemed so much bigger. Why did he feel so cramped now? Kicking angrily at the wall, he felt it give slightly, with a wheeze of protest to accompany it. Then, remembering the good conduct expected of him by the creatures he was to meet, he lay back again and attempted to snooze.

He was on a mission, one that many others had taken before him. It was his duty to explore the new world when he finally escaped this container, and he was to make the best of life before his time there ended. He was prepared to learn to speak a new language and learn to think in a new way; he was willing to eat strange foods and walk strange terrains. The only part of the mission he hadn’t expected was the conditions to undergo before arriving at his destination.

The walls around him suddenly moved on their own. Could it be that the long-awaited time was here? Yes, he decided excitedly as the groans and movements of the capsule slowly shifted him towards the exit. The journey was finally over; he was going to experience a new world. With much trouble and a slight pain after staying still for so long, he worked his way outside and took his first breath of the strange atmosphere. He felt a sting of pain on his rear end but only yelped for a few moments before curiously eyeing his surroundings.

The species around him were far stranger than imagined. Gigantic compared to him, they were green, blue or white. When they leaned over him, he could see that their faces were coloured differently than their bodies. There was an elderly-looking couple hovering near the back, and two younger ones nearer. As they watched curiously, he attempted to communicate his utmost pleasure at being in their presence, and his hopes that the mission would be a success for both sides. However, his language seemed to disturb them, for there was great excitement; speaking in their exotic language, the creatures moved to and fro with fervour. A few minutes of this passed, as his feeding tubes were disconnected and he was passed from creature to creature. This was probably in his honour; they wanted to give him a chance to observe them.

Finally, he was placed back on the area where he had arrived. He relaxed; here in the open, he could watch his strange admirers from afar. Unfortunately, he found that he could hardly move, but that would change as the stiffness of the voyage wore off. The elderly couple hesitantly moved forward and his mode of transportation moved unexpectedly, picking him up with a surprisingly comforting gesture. Making noises that were, remarkably, not unlike the mysterious tongue of the creatures around him, it communicated to the advancing older ones: “Mom, Dad… I’d like you to meet your new grandson.”

Toronto Star, August 2001, Winner in Starship Story Contest