The Princess and the Physicist

"The Princess and the Physicist" by Evelyn E. Smith is a science fiction novella originally published in the mid-20th century. This whimsical tale explores themes of divinity, human curiosity, and societal roles, primarily set on the fictional planet Uxen, which has fallen under the influence of Earthmen. The story delves into the life of Zen, a god-like entity who must deal with the complexities of his supposed omniscience and the interference of Earth scientists coming to study Uxen’s culture. In the plot, Professor Kendrick, an anthropologist, and his assistant Dr. Peter Hammond arrive on Uxen to conduct research on the planet’s nuclear rituals, only to find themselves entangled in the politics of local royalty and the peculiarities of Uxen society. The pair unknowingly rent the crown princess, Iximi, as their maid to gain insights into the local culture. Throughout their humorous interactions, tensions arise as Zen, feeling overworked and overlooked, seeks to maintain his status while relishing in the opportunity to manipulate events from behind the scenes. The story satirically examines the dynamics of power and belief systems while revealing the characters' growth and the absurdity of their situations.