creature lures victims with illusions

[Jeffbert]

Some time ago, I stumbled upon a page about a scifi author, who, while of minor significance, did write a few stories that had elements that inspired many other writers. The one I read featured a tentacled creature that disguised itself with what the writer called 'dreams' of whatever its intended victims desired most. The text may have used the word 'dreaming' rather than or in addition to 'dream'. The details I can recall are that an astronaut came upon a bird-like creature as it was being attacked by another creature having tentacles. He fired upon the attacker, and the victim was released. It immediately befriended him and I believe impressed its thought upon him, but regardless communicated in only vague concepts, one of which was 'dream.'

Only later when the man himself was lured by the dream creature did he understand the significance of the word 'dream,' because the attacking creature directed its illusion toward him rather than his companion, he was endangered, while the bird-like critter saw the thing for what it was, the tentacled dream-creature. Anyway, the man perceived someone dear to him, and was apparently unable to reason that that person simply could not be present, until after the bird-like creature had killed the attacker.

I believe the story was written around the late 19th or early 20th century, and obviously inspired STAR TREK'S MAN TRAP with the idea of a predator that impresses illusions on its intended victims. Anyone with suggestions about whom the author might be, or the story's title, please respond.

 

[j d worthington]

A fair amount of this description sounds very much like Stanley G. Weinbaum's "A Martian Odyssey", but not all of it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Martian_Odyssey

You may be conflating a couple of things, though, so I'd be willing to bet that this is the story you're looking for... and Weinbaum was, at least, anything but a minor writer... he was a major voice in sf, although his career was cut short by cancer....

 

[Jeffbert]

That is it! Thanks, j. d. worthington; I was not expecting a response so soon, much less the exact thing I sought! I just googled the title, and Project Gutenberg's page came up 2nd from the top; I assume this is where I read it. I do not recall where I got the idea that this guy was a minor scifi writer, perhaps it is a case of confabulation. I had that Gutenberg page open every time I loaded my Opera browser, but had to reinstall Xp last week, & lost track of several pages or tabs that always loaded. Thanks, again!

"The dream-beast!" I knew it was a dream something or other!

 

[j d worthington]

Most happy to oblige. Weinbaum's story still charms me after all these years (I first encountered it back around 1971 or so)... and in fact several of his stories remain well worth seeking out. Incidentally, he also did a sequel to "A Martian Odyssey" which, though not as well known, is itself quite an enjoyable little piece....

 

[Jeffbert]

I just remembered how I found this one, I was browsing gutenberg for out-of-copyright H G WELLS & looked up & beheld the title in question. I see a good dozen more stories under Weinbaum's name.

Right now I am going to read The Island of Doctor Moreau, by H. G. Wells.

 

[Jeffbert]

I could not post the link & what little of the address that was left, caused my post to go into limbo, at least for now.

 

[Ursa major]

The software treats link-like text as if it still contained a link. I've edited your previous post to leave the gist without the "offending" text.

As a general note, i.e. not just to you, copyright laws vary from country to country. Something out of copyright in, say, New Zealand may not have that status in the UK or the US. You have to follow the rules for the territory in which you live. (For what it's worth - i.e. not equal to that of a proper legal opinion - I think you, Jeffbert, being in the US, should be okay with the NZ stuff. Maybe. )

 

[Jeffbert]

I suppose you added the "out-of-copyright" part, Ursa major, as I do not recall it. Anyway, for my part, I have only 1 arm & so very much prefer reading on the screen rather than actually holding a book. As such, I rarely even consider whether something is in the public domain in the USA or not. My apologies for this.

 

[Ravensquawk]

"Valley of Dreams" is Stanley Weinbaum's sequel to "Martian Odyssey". It is the one with the blobby grey plants that produce the ideal paradise for each viewer to draw him in - even Tweel.

It is available online for free at Gutenberg.

 

[Jeffbert]

Thanks, Ravensquawk. I will consider reading this later, but now am still reading Philo Vance #3.