(Found) I cant remember title and author, driving me crazy

[scifiboy]

Short story, possibly a novella that I read in the 70's but I am pretty sure it was written in the 40's-60's time frame. its a humerous story, for the most part.


plot


the galaxy is being invaded by a maniacal species. All the races of the galaxy are very civilized and cant fight to even save their lives.


one researcher remembers an old story about a race of beings, called humans, that once, a long time ago, almost conquered the galaxy, but finally they were defeated and exiled back to their home planet. A force shield was placed around the planet to keep the humans there, and it can only be opened from the outside.


They are not even sure the humans still exist, but this is their only remaining hope so they send an expedition to go to earth and see if the humans can help them.


they reach earth, where humans have an apparently peaceful, primitive agrarian society. The humans agree to help them if they will first remove the shield surrounding their planet (I am leaving out many humerous aspects of the story), and the story ends there.


I would appreciate any suggestions as to author and story title.


thanks


Pete

 

[wwsierra]

I believe this is the short story "With Friends Like These", written by Alan Dean Foster. I read it in one of the Best of Science Fiction collections, maybe 1977 or 1978.

 

[scifiboy]

that's it! thank you very much.


it kept reminding of an eric frank Russell story but I checked all his and it wasn't his.


I just read the forward of the story from Alan Dean Foster and he says that he wrote it in the EFR style. still an enjoyable read after over 39 years.