A bit of levity never hurt anyone—even a science fiction editor, writeror reader, we hope. And a laugh has been known to lighten a heavy loadand even change the path of history. So—we give you this brief momentwith an amazed scientist and his startling creations—for a brief chuckle.
Henderson's lovely flowers were going to bringhim fame—until they walked and talked too much.
The ringing of the door bellcut into Henderson's concentrationand he made a gesture ofirritation with one outflung hand.But he didn't raise his head orshift his eyes one iota from thetiny green thing on his laboratorytable. Tensely absorbed, he stoodwatching the small miracle he hadmade and emotion approachingexultation gripped him.
He slid one hand toward aswitch, never moving his eyesfrom the table. The infinitesimalmovement of his hand increasedthe power throb in the machine athis side so imperceptibly that onlyhe could be aware of it.
Suddenly his breath explodedin what was almost a squeal ofdelight.
The small green plant on thetable was with great effort extendinga pair of tiny rootlets andwas trying to use them to walk!
As Henderson watched, spellbound,the sudden cessation of thedoorbell's ring went unnoticed.He stood there, willing with everycell of his body the miracle thatwould make that small shred ofgreen take the first vital step.
Slowly, slowly it struggled toan upright position, stood wavering.Henderson increased thepower with a trembling hand andalmost forgot to breathe as hewaited for the miracle which followed.
Several more rootlets abruptlyappeared, and now the plant balanceditself easily on the baretable. Then slowly, as a longminute passed, one of the rootsmade an uncertain step, thenanother and another, until it waswalking unsteadily across the surfaceof the table!
Henderson, his face—even hislips—white with excitement, nowreached for another switch. Beforeturning it on he adjusted atiny microphone on the edge ofthe table. Then he turned thescrew switch ...
Instantaneously the laboratorywas filled with a rustling. Thenthere came a series of tiny squeaksthat sounded strangely like a voicespeaking. Henderson sat spellbound,watching, listening ...
The door bell rang again, butthis time he didn't even hear it.Nothing could break the spellwhich held him in his seat beforethe first talking and walking plantthe world had ever known.
He picked up an alternatephase microphone and spoke intoit. His voice issued from a tinyspeaker beside the plant as asmall whisper of itself.
"Man!" his voice whispered,"Man!" He nearly yelled his delightas the small green thingechoed the word!
He shut off the mike, then, andgot busy. He sat down and beganto plan a vocabulary to educatehis plant. When that was done hewould stun the world with ademonstration of his genius ...
It was some time before herealized there was a ghost of avoice coming from someplace inthe room. He looked at the planton the table, but it was standingquiescent.
Henderson stared around thelaboratory, frowning. Then amovement at the window caughthis eye.
His mother's prize geraniumwas struggling to free itself fromthe soil in the window box! Andit was muttering! Hendersonblushed as he made out some ofthe words the flower was muttering.That plant had been in theroom with him during some of hismost dismal scientific failures, andit evidently had a good memory.He watched wild-eyed as the plantstruggled to lift