The Hand

"The Hand" by Jerry Sohl is a science fiction story that unfolds on a quiet American farm, where the discovery of a severed hand by a family dog kicks off a terrifying series of events. The story spotlights Alice McNearby's desperate attempt to bridge understanding between her hot-tempered husband, Mac, and an alien visitor searching for a missing crew member's hand. As Mac's distrust and hostility escalate, fueled by a fatal decision to dispose of the hand, the narrative becomes a chilling exploration of human nature against the backdrop of extraterrestrial contact. Ultimately, Mac's actions lead to a grim mirroring of the alien's loss, dramatically illustrating the themes of empathy, the dangers of unchecked aggression, and the severe consequences of greed when confronted with the unfamiliar.