Through Time and Space With Benedict Breadfruit
By GRANDALL BARRETTON
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Amazing Stories March, April, May, June, July,
August, September, October 1962.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Through Time and Space With Benedict Breadfruit: I
On the ancient planet of Phogiu II, the natives were in a terrible tizzy. Their local god—a huge, intelligent lichen which covered a fifth of the habitable surface of Phogiu II, was dying. Naturally, they sent for Benedict Breadfruit. He took one look at the lichen and said: "It is obvious that the fungi part of this intelligent symbiotic organism is in good health. The other part, however—"
He gave it a shot of vitamins and a chlorophyll pill. The Great Lichen immediately spruced up and began delivering its deep pronunciamentos with the proper punctilio.
"What was wrong with it?" asked one of the natives.
"Nothing serious," said Benedict Breadfruit. "All it needed was an algae buttress."