Not Fit for Children

"Not Fit for Children" by Evelyn E. Smith, tells the tale of alien youth who cleverly trick human tourist visitors on their asteroid home in the early 1950s. The story revolves around youngsters like Qan, who cunningly pose as natives and fabricate artifacts to extract valuable metal from the unsuspecting tourists. The narrative teases out the growing suspense between the children and the human's increasing skepticism and misinterpretation of their culture. It explores themes of purity, misconception, and the different way kids and adults see things. As adults are drawn into their game, and Qan's grandfather considers visiting Earth, the story points to the idea that what is acceptable for adults may not always be appropriate for children.