If You Was a Moklin

"If You Was a Moklin" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction story written in the early 1950s. The narrative takes place on the fictional planet Moklin, where humans have been interacting with an intelligent alien species known as the Moklins for over forty years. The central theme involves the complexities of identity, adaptation, and competition between humans and Moklins in the realm of trade and societal norms. The story follows Joe Brinkley, an employee at a human trading post on Moklin, and his colleague Brooks, as they deal with the unexpected challenges posed by a competitive trading post that appears to mimic their goods. The tension escalates when Inspector Caldwell arrives to investigate these business activities, leading the characters to discover that Moklins, initially perceived as friendly and inferior beings, have started producing offspring that closely resemble humans. This revelation stirs fears about Moklins potentially assimilating into human society, threatening their place in the universe. In the end, the humans on Moklin decide to abandon the planet, leading Brinkley to contemplate returning to Moklin to seek out a Moklin companion, reflecting the deep connections formed between the two species.