Project Gutenberg
2019-11-09
Public domain in the USA.
85
Wall, Bernard
Star of Rebirth
Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, February 1959
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
"Star of Rebirth" by Bernard Wall is a science fiction short story written in the late 1950s, originally published in the magazine "Worlds of If Science Fiction". The narrative explores themes of survival, belief, and the quest for hope amid despair. Set in a harsh, icy landscape, it reflects on the struggles of a small band of prehistoric people as they face starvation and loss of faith in their gods. The story follows Atanta, a leader of a tribe experiencing a dire food shortage after a long, fruitless hunt. As he grapples with the futility of their situation and the apparent indifference of the gods, he recounts an ancient tale of creation and the decline of magic in their world. His feelings of despair intensify when he smashes a bone cross, symbolic of his dwindling faith. However, Atanta's journey takes a turn when he encounters a mysterious figure who seems to embody hope, pointing towards the "star of rebirth." This meeting challenges Atanta’s understanding of his existence and the concepts of faith and survival, suggesting that despite the bleak circumstances, a possibility for renewal and connection exists beyond mere survival. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 88.8 (6th grade). Easy to read.
en
Science fiction
Short stories
Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction
Life on other planets -- Fiction
Hunters -- Fiction
Space travelers -- Fiction
PS
Text
Category: Short Stories
Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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