Jerome Bixby
The God-Plllnk
"The God-Plllnk" by Jerome Bixby is a science fiction short story written in the early 1960s. The narrative unfolds on Phobos, one of Mars' moons, where two creatures known as Grg and Yrl await the arrival of a seemingly divine entity. The story explores themes of faith, expectation, and the harsh realities of life beyond Earth, showcasing a world where extraterrestrial beings are revered as gods. In the story, Grg and Yrl, representatives of their race, anticipate the arrival of a cosmic emissary, expecting profound revelations regarding their existence and purpose. However, their excitement turns to disillusionment when the god-like being crashes and is ultimately killed by a massive creature, known as a "plllnk". As the narrative unfolds, more gods arrive, but they too fall victim to the same fate as the first, revealing the vulnerability of what was once thought to be divine. The story concludes with a shift in belief among the inhabitants of Phobos, as they come to understand that their deities are not invulnerable, leading to significant changes in their religious perspectives.