Defense Stories

Take care of meI need you I will never say My fear is if I say itYou will run away Need is terrifyingBoth felt and as expressed It’s better to deny itAnd keep it well in check But sometimes I grow tiredOf seeming to be brave I want to run to you for helpBe rescued, sheltered, saved My strength is my appearanceAnd that is what I show My weakness must be shielded  So only I will know.

“…you must not lesnerize.” This is of course, a well-known line from the Robert Sheckley short story, Protection, which first appeared in his 1957 anthology, Pilgrimage To Earth. It is a really good story, and has a surprise ending that is both humorous and a little chilling. If you haven’t read it, you should. You can find it online by doing a search for “lesnerize”. It will take you maybe five or ten minutes to read. Go...