THE DEEP HOLE TO CHINA

Episode #227 · Written by Robert Sheckley · Narrated by Scott Miller

A boy’s simple backyard project becomes an unstoppable mission when he decides to dig all the way to China—and refuses to quit. But when reality bends to match his determination, his parents discover that imagination may carve through more than just dirt.

Robert Sheckley’s The Deep Hole to China is a witty, warm, and delightfully strange story about childhood ambition colliding with the impossible. When young Tommy Bennett asks a simple question—“What’s under us?”—his father casually replies, “China,” without realizing the consequences. Tommy takes that answer literally and begins digging a hole in the backyard with absolute seriousness. What starts as innocent curiosity quickly turns into a full-scale mission as he battles heat, exhaustion, and parental frustration, determined to reach the other side of the world.

As Tommy digs deeper, Sheckley turns a normal suburban afternoon into something increasingly extraordinary. The humor stays light, but an undercurrent of wonder rises as the story explores how deeply children believe in their own ideas—and what can happen when the universe decides to meet them halfway. The pacing is quick, the writing crisp, and the final reveal lands with both charm and a wink, leaving readers with the unmistakable sense that imagination may have more power than adults care to admit. Without spoiling anything, the conclusion bends reality in a joyful, unexpected way that only Sheckley could deliver.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Sheckley was one of the great stylists of classic science fiction, celebrated for his ability to make thoughtful ideas entertaining, surprising, and often very funny. Born in 1928, Sheckley rose to prominence throughout the 1950s and ’60s, publishing a steady stream of short stories that combined satire, philosophical playfulness, and inventive twists. His tales appeared in nearly every major magazine of the era and earned praise from legends such as Harlan Ellison, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Kurt Vonnegut.

Over his long career, Sheckley produced hundreds of short works, influential novels, and stories that were adapted for television, film, and radio. His fiction remains beloved for its clarity, its mischievous spirit, and the way it captures the limitless creativity of classic sci-fi. Readers today still discover—and rediscover—his work with the same delight felt by audiences more than half a century ago.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to The Deep Hole To China by Robert Sheckley — a humorous vintage science fiction story of determination and discovery.

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The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.7 million listens.

Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.

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