Rain, Rain, Go Away (short story)
Encyclopedia
Rain, Rain, Go Away is a short story
by Isaac Asimov
. A fantasy rather than a science fiction story, it was based on an idea by Bob Mills
, editor of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, but rejected by him. It was instead published in the September 1959 issue of Fantastic Universe
and reprinted in the 1975 collection Buy Jupiter and Other Stories
.
. The family always seems to be tanning, but at the slightest chance of rain they all rush inside the safety of their home. To find out more about the Sakkaros the Wrights invite them to go to a town carnival. The Sakkaros are extremely cautious and bring a radio with them that is tuned to the weather channel. After the day at the carnival everything seems fine until they get home. When they pull up, it starts to drizzle, and the Sakkaros rush to get to the safety of their home. When the Sakkaros are halfway to their door, it starts to pour and the Sakkaros are caught in the rain. Their faces shrivel and they melt. In the end, the Wrights figure out that the Sakkaros were made of sugar
.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
. A fantasy rather than a science fiction story, it was based on an idea by Bob Mills
Bob Mills
Bob Mills is the name of:* Bob Mills , British comedian and radio presenter* Bob Mills , Canadian politician- See also :* Robert Mills * List of people named Mills...
, editor of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, but rejected by him. It was instead published in the September 1959 issue of Fantastic Universe
Fantastic Universe
Fantastic Universe was a U.S. science fiction magazine which began publishing in the 1950s. It ran for 69 issues, from June 1953 to March 1960, under two different publishers. It was part of the explosion of science fiction magazine publishing in the 1950s in the United States, and was moderately...
and reprinted in the 1975 collection Buy Jupiter and Other Stories
Buy Jupiter and Other Stories
Buy Jupiter and Other Stories is a 1975 collection of short stories by American writer Isaac Asimov.It includes the following stories:*"Darwinian Pool Room"* "Day of the Hunters" * "Shah Guido G." * "Button, Button"...
.
Plot summary
The story concerns a seemingly perfect family, the Sakkaros, who become neighbours of another family, the Wrights. The Wrights are puzzled at the great lengths the Sakkaros go to avoid any contact with waterWater
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
. The family always seems to be tanning, but at the slightest chance of rain they all rush inside the safety of their home. To find out more about the Sakkaros the Wrights invite them to go to a town carnival. The Sakkaros are extremely cautious and bring a radio with them that is tuned to the weather channel. After the day at the carnival everything seems fine until they get home. When they pull up, it starts to drizzle, and the Sakkaros rush to get to the safety of their home. When the Sakkaros are halfway to their door, it starts to pour and the Sakkaros are caught in the rain. Their faces shrivel and they melt. In the end, the Wrights figure out that the Sakkaros were made of sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
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