A Welcomed Wanderer

Mesmerized by the eerie green glow of his skin, I stared at him, transfixed that I was actually standing face-to-face with a true intergalactic being. Not sure what to do next in this unique situation, I just stood. After only a few seconds, the stranger spoke in perfectly clear English.

"Greetings, sir. You know, you are the first being on this planet I have actually addressed in person," politely pointed out this one whose otherworldly appearance betrayed his urbane demeanor.

"Good morning to you, sir. Sorry for staring and seeming rude, but just who are you? I feel as though this might be a dream, but I'm sure it's not," I replied, still in awe of what I was beholding.

As a low chuckle came from this affable alien, he continued, "No, indeed, sir, this is no dream. We are both here, wondering about each other." Next, he pointed toward the moon and apprised me.

"See that faint second white dot to the right of your moon? Well, that's my home, Cerebros, as it would best be translated in your language," he explained.

"Did I hear you say us? You have others with you?" I had to ask.

"Oh, yes! Why, how lonely it would be to make such a journey alone! Actually, our culture has been sending expeditions to Earth for years, observing as unobtrusively as we could, to learn all we could about you. I think you have been referring to our surveillance craft as UFOs for years."

"Have we ever! Our whole world is caught up in UFO hysteria. Funny, but now it's not hype," I told him. By the way, how is it that you speak English and, at that, better than many of our own people?"

"Just the way a baby learns language, by observation and imitation. And thank you for the compliment. I am rather self-conscious as to how well I use your language," the green gentleman revealed to me.

"Anyhow," he continued, "we finally received permission from our Chief Council on Cerebros to make an exploratory landing, which we did five of your months ago. Oh, I do recall the beauty we beheld as the blues, greens, whites, and other comforting colors painted your planet so beautifully. Truly, your home appears a paradise from space."