Thursday, December 13, 2018

Christmas on Ganymede

photo from Aliens.Wikia.com

Christmas on Ganymede is a 1940 short story by Isaac Asimov, which first appeared in the January 1942 issue of Startling Stories. You can read it here or here. It begins,
Olaf Johnson hummed nasally to himself and his china-blue eyes were dreamy as he surveyed the stately fir tree in the corner of the library. Though the library was the largest single room in the Dome, Olaf felt it none too spacious for the occasion. Enthusiastically he dipped into the huge crate at his side and took out the first roll of red-and-green crepe paper.

What sudden burst of sentiment had inspired the Ganymedan Products Corporation, Inc. to ship a complete collection of Christmas decorations to the Dome, he did not pause to inquire. Olaf’s was a placid disposition, and in his self-imposed job as chief Christmas decorator, he was content with his lot.

He frowned suddenly and muttered a curse. The General Assembly signal light was Hashing on and off hysterically. With a hurt air Olaf laid down the tack-hammer he had just lifted, then the roll of crepe paper, picked some tinsel out of his hair and left for officers quarters.

10 comments:

  1. :-D That's a good one.

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    1. I hadn't come across it until I started doing searches for Christmas stories. It's definitely different, isn't it! :)

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  2. This is a great one. Valerie

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  3. Anonymous1:33 PM

    Olaf Johnson is my hero!
    --A Pal

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  4. I have actually read this one. I LOVE Asimov. He is one of my favorite authors. I loved this and give it two thumbs up.

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    1. The man had an imagination, didn't he! He was one of the first science fiction authors I read.

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  5. I didn't know Asimov wrote any Christmas stories. I did get a chuckle out of the picture you included here though. Happy Friday and have a great weekend. Hugs-Erika

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    1. He certainly wrote a variety of different kinds of stories, didn't he!

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