Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle

Author:Pierre Boulle
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 0100-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“I don’t think you realize, do you, the danger you are in here on Soror?”

“I’ve already had some experience of it; but I feel that if I showed myself in my true colors—and I can do so now by providing proof—the apes ought to admit me as their spiritual brother.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Now listen . . .”

We were strolling through the park. The paths were almost deserted and we had passed no more than one or two courting couples who were roused to a momentary curiosity by my presence. I, on the other hand, stared at them shamelessly, being firmly resolved not to miss a single opportunity to learn about simian customs.

They walked along together holding each other around the waist, the length of their arms making this embrace a tight and complex encirclement. They would often stop at a corner of a path to exchange a kiss or two. From time to time also, after darting a furtive glance all around, they would take hold of the low branches of a tree and swing themselves off the ground. This they accomplished without separating, each of them using one hand and one foot with an ease that I envied, and they would then disappear into the foliage.

“Now listen,” said Zira. “Your launch”—I had told her in detail how we had arrived on the planet—”your launch has been discovered; at least what’s left of it after being pillaged. It has aroused the curiosity of our researchers. They realize it was not manufactured here.”

“Do you build similar machines?”

“Yes, but not so perfected. From what you’ve told me, we’re a long way behind you. We have, however, already launched artificial satellites around our planet, the last one even being occupied by a living being: a man. We had to destroy it in flight because we were unable to recover it.”

“I see,” I said, lost in thought. “So men also serve you for this sort of experiment.”

“It can’t be helped. . . . Anyway, your rocket has been discovered.”

“What about our spaceship, which has been in orbit around Soror for the last few months?”

“I haven’t heard anything about it. It must have escaped the notice of our astronomers . . . but do stop interrupting me. Some of our scientists have put forward the theory that the machine comes from another planet and that it was inhabited. They are unable to go a step further and imagine intelligent beings in human form.”

“But you must tell them, Zira!” I cried. “I’ve had enough of living like a prisoner, even in the most comfortable of cages, even looked after by you. Why are you hiding me away? Why not reveal the truth to everyone?”

Zira stopped short, glanced all about her, and put her hand on my arm.

“Why? It’s purely in your own interests that I’m doing this. You know Zaius?”

“Of course. I wanted to talk to you about him. Well?”

“Did you notice the effect your first attempts at rationality produced on him? Do you

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