"Resnick, Mike - The Elephants on Neptune" - читать интересную книгу автора (Resnick Mike)

"The Elephants on Neptune" by Mike ResnickWe are
pleased to offer this Asimov's SF web-exclusive
t-shirt featuring Bob Eggelton's artwork from our
December 2000 issue depicting a scene from George
R.R. Martin's "Path of the Dragon" of The Song of
Ice and Fire series. They are two-sided shirts
printed on white Fruit of the Loom Heavy Cotton T
stock with the cover on the front and the
asimovs.com address on the reverse.
Each shirt is $15 (postage paid) and available in
4 sizes: Medium, Large, Extra-Large, and
Extra-Extra-Large.
Quantities are limited, so act now!

Current issue also available in
various electronic formats at






The Elephants on Neptune by Mike Resnick

The elephants on Neptune led an idyllic life.
None ever went hungry or were sick. They had no predators. They
never fought a war. There was no prejudice. Their birth rate exactly
equaled their death rate. Their skins and bowels were free of
parasites.
The herd traveled at a speed that accommodated the youngest and
weakest members. No sick or infirm elephant was ever left behind.
They were a remarkable race, the elephants on Neptune. They lived
out their lives in peace and tranquility, they never argued among
themselves, the old were always gentle with the young. When one was
born, the entire herd gathered to celebrate. When one died, the
entire herd mourned its passing. There were no animosities, no petty
jealousies, no unresolved quarrels.
Only one thing stopped it from being Utopia, and that was the fact
that an elephant never forgets.
Not ever.
No matter how hard he tries.
When men finally landed on Neptune in 2473 a.d., the elephants were
very apprehensive. Still, they approached the spaceship in a spirit
of fellowship and goodwill.
The men were a little apprehensive themselves. Every survey of
Neptune told them it was a gas giant, and yet they had landed on
solid ground. And if their surveys were wrong, who knew what else
might be wrong as well?
A tall man stepped out onto the frozen surface. Then another. Then a
third. By the time they had all emerged, there were almost as many