The Gift

"The Gift" by Melvin Sturgis is a science fiction story set in the 1950s about a young boy named Carl Sloan who can heal people with his touch, but his incredible ability makes him an outcast as society grows to fear his power. Because people perceive his gifts as dangerous, not helpful, Carl faces constant persecution and misunderstanding. The story is told through a courtroom drama, where witnesses recount Carl's life, revealing how his amazing gift caused him to be isolated from others and eventually locked away in an institution. As Carl grows up, he wrestles with both the burden of his abilities and the public's fear, which has a tragic outcome when a public showing of his power ends in disaster. The book questions acceptance, the meaning of miracles, and how society can fear those who are different, leading to a sad end as Carl's life is decided by a system that cannot understand him.