Encounter in the Dawn by Arthur C. Clarke Episode #161

Arthur C. Clarke | December 23, 2023

Encounter in the Dawn by Arthur C. Clarke Episode #161
Arthur C. Clarke

ENCOUNTER IN THE DAWN

Episode #161 · Written by Arthur C. Clarke · Narrated by Scott Miller

A solitary expedition on a distant world sparks an unexpected bond between a star-faring explorer and a young hunter at the dawn of civilization. As the shadows of a dying empire close in, their brief connection becomes a haunting glimpse of what humanity might have been — and what it may never become.

Arthur C. Clarke’s “Encounter in the Dawn” is a sweeping yet deeply personal tale set during the final days of a once-mighty galactic empire. A small survey craft, far from home and nearly forgotten amid the collapse of civilization, discovers a vibrant, Earth-like world with forests, river valleys, and early human settlements. Its three explorers — Altman, Clindar, and Bertrond — are tired, uncertain of the future, and haunted by messages from home that speak of spreading catastrophe. But despite the storm gathering across the stars, their mission continues: observe, document, and understand.

Their greatest surprise is Yaan, a young hunter whose tribe lives at the earliest dawn of civilization. Bertrond’s cautious approach sparks a quiet, tentative friendship — an exchange of gifts, glances, gestures, and wonder. Through these encounters the team glimpses human nature in its purest, earliest form. Yaan’s innocence, curiosity, and courage awaken in them something long buried: hope that the future may not belong only to empires, but to people.

Yet the empire’s collapse cannot be ignored. As Bertrond teaches Yaan fragments of knowledge and leaves him tools he hopes will guide his people forward, he knows the truth: they must abandon the planet and return to the doomed worlds that created them. Their meeting will be a single spark — a brief, golden moment later lost to myth. But somewhere in the distant future, Yaan’s descendants will build the city of Babylon, never knowing that the gods who walked among them were simply men racing against their own extinction.

First published in Amazing Stories, “Encounter in the Dawn” remains one of Clarke’s most moving works, blending cosmic scale with intimate emotion. It is a meditation on the rise and fall of civilizations, the fragility of contact, and the yearning to leave something meaningful behind.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arthur C. Clarke (1917–2008) was one of the world’s most visionary science-fiction writers, combining scientific accuracy with philosophical insight. A pioneer of satellite communication and a prolific futurist, Clarke saw the big picture of humanity’s long journey through time and space. His works — from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Childhood’s End, The Sentinel, and his many short stories — helped define modern science fiction.

Clarke believed that humanity’s destiny lay among the stars, and his fiction often explored first contact, cosmic mystery, and the evolution of intelligence. His influence continues across literature, film, space exploration, and technology, making him one of the foundational voices of 20th-century science fiction. Through stories like “Encounter in the Dawn,” Clarke left a legacy of wonder, imagination, and awe that continues to inspire readers around the world.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to Encounter in the Dawn by Arthur C. Clarke — a moving vintage science fiction tale of first contact, fading empires, and the fragile spark of early humanity.