Problem on Balak

"Problem on Balak" by Roger D. Aycock is a science fiction tale from the 1950s that follows a team of space explorers landing on the distant planet Balak to find a society of extraordinary eight-armed surgeons. The explorers face a perplexing problem that tests their understanding of identity: they must figure out which of two identical Earthmen is the real one and which is a copy made by the Balakians. With the clock ticking, the crew tackles this challenge, revealing funny and suspenseful situations and making them think deeply about people, including themselves. The story cleverly balances humor with smart ideas and a surprise ending, underlining how vital it is to know oneself and how complicated being someone can be, whether you're human or an alien.