Task of Kayin

"Task of Kayin" by Joseph Samachson is a science fiction tale set in the early 1950s, spotlighting identity, acceptance, and the weighty consequences of science. The story tracks Kayin, running from a dangerous world, as he finds himself landing on Earth, which has hazards of its own. The narrative looks at what Kayin thinks and feels, as well as what happens to him, as he gets to know human society while keeping his alien origins a secret. Kayin's struggle to fit in emphasizes his loneliness and the clashing of cultures. Despite him being smart, he learns the ropes of work and language, learning the customs of humans. Kayin learns of a doom-bringing scientific experiment underway by humans. As he starts growing close to them, Kayin must decide if he will interfere and stop disaster. He decides to fight for the humans he now calls friends, which shows his change and acceptance of a new home.