Bullet with His Name

By FRITZ LEIBER
Illustrated By: DILLON
Before passing judgment, just ask yourself one question: Would you like answering for humanity any better than Ernie Meeker did?
The Invisible Being shifted his anchorage a bit in Earth's gravitational field, which felt like a push rather than a pull to him, and said, This featherless biped seems to satisfy Galaxy Center's requirements. I'd say he's a suitable recipient for the Gifts.
His Coadjutor, equally invisible and negatively massed, chewed that over. Mature by his length and mass. Artificial plumage neither overly gaudy nor utterly drab—indicating median social level, which is confirmed by the size of his bachelor nest. Inward maps of his environment not fantastically inaccurate. Feelings reasonably meshed—at least neither volcanic nor frozen. Thoughts and values in reasonable order. Yes, I agree, a satisfactory test subject. Except....
Except what?
Except we can never be sure of that 'reasonable' part.
Of course not! Thank your stars that's beyond the reach of Galaxy Center's keenest telepathy, or even ours on the spot. Otherwise you and I'd be out of a job.
And have to scheme up some other excuse for free-touring the Cosmos with backtracking permitted.
Exactly! The Being and his Coadjutor understood each other very well and were the best of friends. Well, how many Gifts would you suggest for the test?
How about two Little and one Big? the Coadjutor ventured.
Umm ... statistically adequate but spiritually unsatisfying. Remember, the fate of his race hangs on his reactions to them. I'd be inclined to increase your suggestion by one each and add a Great.