Pastoral Affair

"Pastoral Affair" by Charles A. Stearns is a science fiction story set in the late 1950s, taking place on a secluded island where Colonel Glinka hunts for Dr. Stefanik, a geneticist who has turned his back on his old life; their encounter sparks a story about human ambition, genetic changes, and how people interact. The story begins when Colonel Glinka, equipped with a special cane that's also a gun, arrives on the island to find Dr. Stefanik, believing he holds the secret to a major scientific discovery linked to humanity's future. His journey is filled with funny conversations with Abdul Hakkim ben Salazar, a local man who reluctantly guides Glinka. When Glinka finally meets Stefanik, he discovers that the doctor now hates his past life and refuses to experiment on people, even with the colonel pushing him hard. The story becomes even more comical as Glinka grows suspicious of the islanders and their strange origins, leading to a crazy ending where he understands that his intimidating presence has only made the island's residents extremely curious about him. The story ends with thoughtful ideas about human nature, belonging, and curiosity.