A Curious Request

The afternoon painted long shadows across the valley as Rebecca finished kneading the last batch of bread. The brick ovens behind the bakery glowed with steady heat, while the familiar sounds of hammers, saws, and wagons drifted through the open kitchen windows.

The supper bell would not ring for another hour.

Rebecca brushed the flour from her apron just as Nord stepped through the doorway.

He removed his hat with his usual courtesy.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

Rebecca smiled.

"In this kitchen everyone is welcome. Pull up a chair."

Nord sat at the end of the long table while Rebecca divided the dough into neat loaves.

For a few moments neither spoke.

Finally Nord broke the silence.

"Rebecca, there is something I've been meaning to tell you."

She looked up.

"That usually means you're about to ask me to cook something I've never heard of."

A faint smile crossed Nord's face.

"I believe that's exactly where this conversation may lead."

Rebecca laughed.

"Well then, you've come to the right kitchen."

Nord folded his hands.

"For many decades, Grey observation vessels monitored Earth's radio and television broadcasts. Your signals continued traveling through space long after they left your planet."

Rebecca nodded.

"I suppose that's how they learned about us."

"They learned many things."

"They watched your news."

"They watched your sporting events."

"They watched educational programs."

He paused.

"And they watched your entertainment."

Rebecca grinned.

"I hope they didn't judge us too harshly."

"I'm not certain they understood what they were watching."

She stopped shaping the dough.

"What do you mean?"

Nord considered his words.

"They observed a series of broadcasts describing four unusual heroes."

Rebecca waited.

"They were turtles."

She blinked.

"Turtles?"

"They appeared brave."

"They fought criminals."

"And whenever they gathered together..."

Nord looked almost embarrassed.

"...they ate large quantities of pizza."

Rebecca stared at him for a heartbeat.

Then laughter filled the kitchen.

She laughed so hard she leaned against the table for support.

"Oh, my goodness..."

When she finally caught her breath, she wiped tears from her eyes.

"They thought it was real?"

Nord nodded.

"They had no concept that humans created fictional stories for entertainment."

"They concluded it was a historical account."

Rebecca laughed again.

"So they believe Earth was defended by heroic turtles."

"I'm afraid many of them still do."

Just then Samuel stepped through the doorway carrying a basket of fresh tomatoes.

He stopped when he saw Rebecca laughing.

"What have I missed?"

Rebecca tried to answer but laughed again.

Samuel patiently waited.

Finally she managed,

"The Greys believe..."

"...our greatest heroes were turtles..."

"...and they became strong by eating pizza."

Samuel looked at Nord.

Nord quietly nodded.

"It is an understandable mistake when one lacks cultural context."

Samuel scratched his beard.

"I've heard stranger stories."

Rebecca smiled.

"So what happens when they discover the truth?"

Nord looked toward the bakery where another load of bread was coming from the ovens.

"I suspect they'll be disappointed."

Rebecca tilted her head.

"About the turtles?"

"No."

"The pizza."

She laughed once more.

"I can assure them the pizza part is entirely possible."

Nord smiled.

"That is why I wished to speak with you."

"The first visitors are still some time away."

"There is no urgency."

"But several Grey delegations have quietly expressed one request."

"What is it?"

"They hope to someday enjoy authentic Earth pizza."

Rebecca looked around her kitchen.

Fresh flour from Galileo's mill.

Tomatoes from the cannery.

Cheese from the creamery.

Herbs hanging from the rafters.

Wood-fired ovens warming the room.

Everything needed was already here.

She smiled thoughtfully.

"We've built a bakery."

"We've built a creamery."

"We've grown the finest tomatoes I've ever seen."

She looked at Samuel.

"I suppose making pizza is simply another way of sharing what we've already learned."

Samuel nodded.

"I don't believe folks travel across the stars just for food."

"No," Rebecca agreed.

"They come because someone invited them."

Nord smiled.

"I think you've just explained something many civilizations have never understood."

Rebecca placed another loaf into its pan.

"In this valley..."

"...we've always believed the best conversations begin after someone says..."

She looked at both men and smiled warmly.

"You're just in time for supper."

Outside, the whistles blew as workers began putting away their tools.

The settlement slowly turned toward Rebecca's kitchen, just as it had every evening since the first cabins had been built.

Nord watched them from the doorway.

"So this," he said quietly, "is how Earth welcomes strangers."

Rebecca nodded.

"It always has."

"And if we're fortunate..."

"It always will."