Rabbits Have Long Ears by Lawrence F. Willard episode #108
Lawrence F. Willard | October 1, 2023-
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Rabbits Have Long Ears by Lawrence F. Willard episode #108
Lawrence F. Willard
RABBITS HAVE LONG EARS
Episode #108 · Written by Lawrence F. Willard · Narrated by Scott Miller
A cautious star commander searches for answers about a mysterious green planet filled with strange signals and warlike chatter. But when his crew finally dredges up “evidence,” the truth proves far stranger — and far funnier — than anything they imagined.
“Rabbits Have Long Ears” by Lawrence F. Willard is a smart, playful slice of classic sci-fi. A determined starship commander approaches a green world filled with radio chatter, huge cities, and signs of intelligence. He wants answers, but he refuses to take reckless chances. His crew turns to their technology and begins pulling objects from the surface, feeding every discovery into their trusted computer.
The results seem terrifying. Everything they collect suggests a race of brutal giants who fight constantly. Their tools are enormous. Their weapons are savage. The commander believes he may have found the most dangerous world in the galaxy and worries about the threat it may pose beyond its home system.
Yet hints hide everywhere. Clues are subtle, funny, and quietly logical. The aliens are not monsters and the danger may not exist at all. The humor comes from misunderstanding, assumptions, and blind faith in technology rather than real observation. Willard builds tension without explosions, using irony to lead the reader toward a wonderfully satisfying realization.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lawrence F. Willard wrote during a golden age of science fiction, when writers explored big cosmic ideas through engaging and often playful storytelling. His work blends curiosity, imagination, and sly humor. He enjoyed showing how perspective shapes truth, and how even advanced explorers can miss what is right in front of them. “Rabbits Have Long Ears” stands as a memorable piece of vintage science fiction, filled with warmth, wit, and charm.
LISTEN TO THE STORY
Listen to Rabbits Have Long Ears by Lawrence F. Willard — a clever classic science fiction short story. Willard reveals how curiosity, mistakes, and misunderstandings reshape one starship’s mission.
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Not every science fiction writer built a long career in the field or became a widely recognized name. Some published only a handful of stories before disappearing from the magazines, leaving behind little biographical record and few surviving details. Others may be remembered for work in different genres, while their contribution to science fiction was brief.
Yet these writers helped shape the texture of the pulp era and beyond. Their stories experimented with bold ideas, filled the pages between the famous names, and added depth to the ever-expanding landscape of vintage science fiction.
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