Break a Leg

"Break a Leg" by Jim Harmon is a science fiction story from the late 1950s that follows Charlie Baxter, a man known for being accident-prone, as he tries to find his place on a spaceship and navigate the dangers of an alien planet. Captain Jackson's crew is re-surveying Moran III, needing Baxter's help, but Baxter deals with his poor reputation while trying to prove valuable to the crew. Through hilarious and perilous events among the planet's inhabitants, Baxter realizes that he must face his fears if he wants to survive. As he overcomes challenges, including tough natives and a close call with a geyser, he begins to accept that being accident-prone is just part of who he is. The story ends with a sense of uncertainty, suggesting that even though Baxter has grown, his self-acceptance might lead to things that he can't imagine, making readers think about the strange ways of destiny.