they were different
BY NEIL J. KENNEY
Such magnificent gifts as these were undoubtedly
intended for Mankind. But those who possess them are
rare indeed, while those who fear the unknown are legion
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, May 1955.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
As secretary, receptionist and general nursemaid to them I took it upon myself to dig back through the news files and get enough clips to tell their history from birth until they opened the school. You've all read it so there's no need to go into details about their strange life and still stranger birth. Nor their magnificent education or still more magnificent gifts. It's true, every bit of it; their telepathic and ESPing powers WORKED. They were the only births like them to survive to maturity and beyond.
During the last contact I had with them (I was their first and most advanced pupil) it came as pure inspiration to take down their transmissions in the special short, shorthand we developed for use among the pupils and ourselves. What follows may be added to the story told by the news clips, differing only in person. I have added nothing in translation of the notes, leaving the narrative as disjointed as they gave it. The events are as they transmitted them, as they lived them. I was in contact with them until—but read, and when you're through reading do as I do every night.
Pray.
And hope—for mankind.