Citizen Jell

** "Citizen Jell" by Michael Shaara is a science fiction story about Mr. Jell, an old man leading a quiet life who is secretly a retired spaceman from a highly advanced world. Bound by his civilization's rules against interfering with less advanced cultures, Mr. Jell uses his alien device, the Box, to simply duplicate items, trying to blend in while battling the temptations of using his abilities to help others. He befriends local children, enjoying their company while carefully guarding his secret and his powerful Box. Mr. Jell finds himself in a moral crisis when he needs to decide whether to use the Box to save a young girl’s life, an act that would reveal his presence to his people and force him to face the consequences. This story explores the struggles of living in secret, explores the burden of great power, and ponders what it truly means to have the ability to change the world. **