World That Couldnt Be

In the intriguing world of Layard, a place that defies conventional understanding, sociologists are baffled by the existence of genderless tribes thriving without traditional family structures. But for Gavin Duncan, a determined farmer with dreams of success, the curious customs of the natives are the least of his worries. He’s on a mission to cultivate the highly sought-after vua plants, whose berries are renowned for curing mental illnesses and fetching astronomical prices across the galaxy. However, his plans are jeopardized by the menacing Cytha, a lumbering creature capable of devastating entire rows of crops in a single night. Despite the locals superstitions, Gavin knows he must confront this dim-witted beast if he wants to secure his fortune. Join him on this thrilling adventure as he battles the odds in The World That Couldn’t Be, originally published in the January 1958 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction magazine. (Summary by Gregg Margarite)