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story identification - The great tree sat upon the cliff. "Alien, I die soon."



As a teenager I read a story about a great tree that sat upon the eroding cliff of an alien world. A party of human explorers arrived upon this world, and one of their number, a man of intellect, but physically weak, is endowed with special powers by the tree shortly before it dies. At the moment the conscience of the man and the tree combine, the tree urgently told the man, "Alien, I die soon." I've never forgotten that line, and would like to read this story again. What is the story's name and by which author ? Thank you.



Answer



The story is "Hybrid" from "Galactic Odyssey" by Keith Laumer.


The book is actually available from Baen's Free Library if you want to re-read it, though I would urge you to buy it to support Baen.



Deeper still, a secondary system of roots clutched the massive face of the bedrock; sensitive tendrils monitored the minute trembling in the planetary crust, the rhythmic tidal pressures, the seasonal weight of ice, the footfalls of the wild creatures that hunted in the mile-wide shadow of the giant Yanda tree.



...



"Alien, I die soon," the Yanda gasped. "But I will teach you. There is, however, a condition. . . ."




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