（外文电子版资料）Robert Sheckley - Pilgrimage to Earth.pdf

Pilgrimage to Earth Robert Sheckley. Alfred Simon was born on Kazanga IV, a small agricultural planet near Arcturus, and there he drove a combine through the wheat fields, and in the long, hushed evenings listened to the recorded love songs of Earth. Life was pleasant enough on Kazanga, and the girls were buxom, jolly, frank and acquiescent, good companions for a hike through the hills or a swim in the brook, staunch mates for life. But romantic—never! There was good fun to be had on Kazanga, in a cheerful open manner. But there was no more than fun. Simon felt that something was missing in this bland existence. One day, he discovered what it was. A vendor came to Kazanga in a battered spaceship loaded with books. He was gaunt, white-haired, and a little mad. A celebration was held for him, for novelty was appreciated on the outer worlds. The vendor told them all the latest gossip, of the price war between Detroit II and III, and how fishing fared on Alana, and what the presidents wife on Moracia wore, and how oddly the men of Doran V talked. And at last someone said, “Tell us of Earth.” “Ah!” said the vendor, raising his eyebrows . “You want to hear of the old mother planet? Well, friends, theres no place like old Earth, no place at all. On Earth, friends, everything is possible, and nothing is denied.” “Nothing?” Simon asked. “Theyve got a law against denial,” the vendor explained, grinning. “No one has ever been know to break it. Earth is different, friends. You folks specialize in farming? Well Earth specializes in impracticalities such as madness, beauty, war, intoxication, purity, horror, and the like, and people come from light-years away to sample these wares.” “And love?” a woman asked. “Why girl,” the vendor said gently, “Earth is the only place in the galaxy that still has love! Detroit II