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Don't ever become a pessimist... a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events.

—Robert A. Heinlein
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The Ballad of Lost C'Mell

(1962)
Author: Cordwainer Smith
Publisher: Galaxy Publishing
Pages: 0
Personal Rating: 0/10
Amazon: 4.5/5
Goodreads: 4.5/5
Bindings:Compilation
Found in:The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume II A [1974]
Classifications:SciFi
Synopsis:
The story revolves around Jestocost's ambition to help the oppressed underpeople gain rights without upsetting the established social order. While debating how to make contact, Jestocost telepathically accesses C'mell's thoughts during the funeral of her athlete father, and overhears her call for help to someone named E-telly-kelly. After awkwardly questioning her later (which she at first mistakes for a crude pass), he is permitted to make contact with the E'telekeli, an eagle-derived underperson unknown to the Instrumentality with immense telepathic powers, who may be the leader of the underpeople.