The Hunters

"The Hunters" by Joseph Samachson is a science fiction tale that dives into what it means to be human through the eyes of two alien beings who have disguised themselves as humans, interacting with children and a well-known actor at a zoo. The story unfolds with Curt George, a celebrated actor and hunter battling his own issues, including struggling with alcohol abuse. As he gears up to entertain a group of children at the zoo, his path intersects with Manto and Palit, aliens observing human behavior. Their interactions with the children lead to friendship but everything changes during a performance when the aliens' true nature is revealed by accident. Contrasting George's internal fight with the innocence of the children, the story brings to light ideas about usefulness, identity, and the true meaning of heroism.