The spaceman
(Book)

A little spaceship lands on a rather dim, ordinary-looking planet, and a tiny spaceman begins his routine: collecting, labeling, and organizing soil samples. When a bird flies off with his spaceship, he gives chase, but he's soon distracted by a variety of intriguing plants. A "hideous beast" leaps out at him, and the spaceman flees in terror. Still, as the sky lightens, he's fascinated by the many strange, often beautiful creatures. Even the beast isn't threatening, but playful. They become friends. The spaceman considers completing his work, but when he finds his spaceship in a tree, he nudges it and watches it fall, splash, and disappear into the pond below. He's content to stay in "this extraordinary place," laughing and playing with his new friend.