Перші люди на Місяці
Chapter 13 — Mr. Cavor Makes Some Suggestions
Anddirectlyyoutakethemitknocksyoutopiecesinsomeunexpectedway.Oldpassionsandnewweapons—nowitupsetsyourreligion,nowitupsetsyoursocialideas,nowitwhirlsyouofftodesolationandmisery!”
“Anyhow,it’snouseyourquarrellingwithmenow.Thesecreatures—theseSelenites,orwhateverwechoosetocallthem—havegotustiedhandandfoot.Whatevertemperyouchoosetogothroughwithitin,youwillhavetogothroughwithit....Wehaveexperiencesbeforeusthatwillneedallourcoolness.”
Hepausedasifherequiredmyassent.ButIsatsulking.“Confoundyourscience!”Isaid.
“Theproblemiscommunication.Gestures,Ifear,willbedifferent.Pointing,forexample.Nocreaturesbutmenandmonkeyspoint.”
Thatwastooobviouslywrongforme.“Prettynearlyeveryanimal,”Icried,“pointswithitseyesornose.”
Cavormeditatedoverthat.“Yes,”hesaidatlast,“andwedon’t.There’ssuchdifferences—suchdifferences!”
“Onemight....ButhowcanItell?Thereisspeech.Thesoundstheymake,asortofflutingandpiping.Idon’tseehowwearetoimitatethat.Isittheirspeech,thatsortofthing?Theymayhavedifferentsenses,differentmeansofcommunication.Ofcoursetheyaremindsandweareminds;theremustbesomethingincommon.Whoknowshowfarwemaynotgettoanunderstanding?”
“Thethingsareoutsideus,”Isaid.“They’remoredifferentfromusthanthestrangestanimalsonearth.Theyareadifferentclay.Whatisthegoodoftalkinglikethis?”
Cavorthought.“Idon’tseethat.
