Biology in Science Fiction: Free Stories

Title: Cat and Mouse

Author: Ralph Williams

Length: short story

First Publication: Astounding Science Fiction (Analog), 1959

Awards: Hugo Nomination for Best Short Story 1960.

What the Story is About: “The Warden needed to have a certain very obnoxious pest eliminated … and he knew just the pest-eradicator he needed….”

Listen to the audio version at Librivox.

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Categories: 1950-1959 • Analog • Audio • Cats • Ecology • Hunting • Short Fiction • Williams - Ralph • Zoology

2 Responses to “Cat and Mouse by Ralph Williams”

1. AllDaySCIfi says:

   May 23, 2011 at 9:06 am

   That is a nice story that does not really show its age. I read it and liked it before I learned it was nominated for a Hugo. The self reliant rugged individualist is very Heinleinesque.

   But what was the author’s message by having a man treated like a cat at an interstellar mouse hole?
2. Dave St.John says:

   October 4, 2011 at 9:16 am

   Multi-level alien contact story that is strong in every way. Written in 1959, it’s far better than most of what’s been written since. Why? Because it’s focus is on telling a great story. The writing stands out from most fiction because the author knows the taste, feel and truths of wilderness living. The telling effortlessly conveys the thoughts of the main character in a plain, easy way. The aliens are original and a reasonable extrapolation from known terrestrial biology. The ‘warden’ is yet another layer added to the mix. Best of all, if you enjoy alien stories, this story is a total blast to read.