[ WP ] Humanity meets an alien race who are awed , not by our scientific or military achievements , but by the ability of humans to create fiction .

**T**he Zorblaxian representative examined the document intently, as though daring it to reveal its secrets. As far as anyone in the room knew, he ( not that you could really put human gender to a Zorblaxian ) did n't read any Earth languages, though his spoken English was improving rapidly. Nevertheless he stared intently at the sheaf of pages, hastily printed out by one of the million assistants that seemed to be waiting outside the room. His proboscis absentmindedly sucked some mucus off his single eyeball, putting some in the room in mind of someone licking their lips, and putting many more off their lunch. 
 
 The alien turned to Colonel Davies, who was really only there because he knew planes, and there was hope of some sort of a technology sharing deal on propulsion systems. The Zorblaxian had turned up his proboscis at medical and computer technology. But now, in reaction to a chance reference by Davies, who was too used to trotting out his classical education to those who dismissed him as a dumb fighter jock, the creature was examining The Odyssey. 
 
 The alien began hesitantly, `` So you say this... O-Diss-I-Yes is returning from war. And meets many strange beings along the way.'' 
 
 Davies nodded. `` Yes, and then he returns to his wife and has to defeat her suitors. The other men trying to marry her, for they believe Odysseus is dead.'' 
 
 The Zorblaxian gave the little wiggle that it used as a nod. `` And this Odysseus... is not real.'' 
 
 `` Well he may have been. But even if he was he did n't do any of these things.'' 
 
 `` Yes. Because none of these... beings he meets are... real either? They are as you said... made up?'' The creature sounded almost titillated! 
 
 `` Yes indeed, they do n't exist. They're a fantasy.'' 
 
 `` So someone wrote this, but was not recording true events, instead just taking things from his own mind?'' 
 
 `` Well yeah.'' 
 
 A thoughtful pause. `` And do others have this ability?'' 
 
 Colonel Davies tried and failed to read the expressions on his superiors' faces. With no lie instructed he figured he'd just tell the truth. `` Some are better than others, but yes, most of us can write things down from our heads.'' 
 
 A smug upcurl of the left skin flap. `` Deception.'' 
 
 `` Not really deception if everyone knows.'' 
 
 A scrunch of doubt in the fleshy top part of his face. `` So you have more like this? More made-up writing?'' 
 
 `` Yes, we have thousands of stories.'' 
 
 `` Thousands.'' The creature's proboscis was waving all around its face now, and its central arm-like appendage was quivering. 
 
 Its giant eye looked at Colonel Davies, and then around the room. `` I think we may be able to make a deal.''
