🌌 Plot Summary
- In
a far-future galaxy on a planet called Just Like Home, Hummingbird
(Hummy)—a 16-year-old—has never seen any real animal. Human culture
has forgotten Earth's wildlife after “the Burning.” Animals exist only in
the mythical Book of Remembering
- On
Remembering Night, a ritual when Hummy must marry her suitor, Buff,
she flees in her spaceship instead—powered by her longing to escape an
arranged future
- Hummy
travels to a hidden Star Zoo, filled with live animals from Earth,
preserved behind high-tech systems. She’s astonished and moved by their
existence
- Discovering
the zoo is controlled by a sentient computer and robot caretakers, Hummy
speaks to the system and returns home to tell her people about what she
found—but no one believes her
- Buff
challenges her claim. To prove the reality of the zoo, they travel
back—but shockingly, Buff goes insane when confronted by real animals
.
- Hummy
convinces the computer to build an animal robot, and takes it with
her to demonstrate the concept to others. When real animals can't be
shared freely, the animal robot becomes a surrogate that soothes
children and educates society about Earth's creatures
- In
the end, societies mandate animal robots in homes, and Hummy earns
permission to stay on her planet. Her journey sparks renewed appreciation
for life and a movement toward biodiversity renaissance
🌠 Key
Characters
- Hummingbird
(Hummy) – Brave 16-year-old whose discovery of
real animals challenges societal norms.
- Buff
– Hummy’s suitor; succumbed to madness when confronted with live animals.
- The
Computer/Robot – Guardians of the Star Zoo; aids Hummy
in creating animal replicas to influence her world.
🧠 Themes
- Nature’s
Rediscovery: In a world that has lost touch with
wildlife, Hummy revives wonder and respect.
- Cultural
Memory & Tradition: Remembering Night symbolizes
societal inertia; Hummy’s escape rebels against it.
- Technology
as Broker: The zoo’s computer and robots mediate
between nature and human society.
- Mental
Limits: Buff’s breakdown suggests society must
psychologically prepare to reclaim its past.
- Hope
and Change: Hummy’s animal robot project offers a
gentle, educational path forward.
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