Surface Tension (short story)
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| "Surface Tension" | |
| Author | James Blish |
|---|---|
| Country |  USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction short story |
| Media type | Print (Magazine) |
| Publication date | 1952 |
Surface Tension is a science fiction short story by James Blish originally published in 1952.
[edit] Plot summary
Humans who crash on a distant planet that is earthlike but has almost no land create a microscopic aquatic creature to carry on their legacy before themselves dying off. Most of the story relates to these creatures and their intelligence, curiosity, and evolving technology. In particular, the development of their first "space ship," which pierces the reflecting, previously impenetrable surface of the water, and allows them to visit other puddles (to them, entire other worlds).
Surface Tension was among the stories selected in 1970 by the Science Fiction Writers of America as one the best science fiction short stories of all time. As such, it was published in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume One, 1929-1964.
