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A Boy's Best Friend
"A Boy's Best Friend" is a science fiction short story published in 1975. This story is set far in the future when habitation of the Moon has already taken place. Jimmy Anderson is a Moon-born ten-year-old, and he owns a robotic dog named Robutt, whom he comes to love. He can go on the moon freely and securely as he is moon born and has Robutt with him. However, his parents want him to have a real dog, a Scottish Terrier. Since Moon-borns cannot visit Earth, his parents bring the dog to the Moon. But since the relationship between Jimmy and Robutt is so close, Jimmy decides not to have the 'living' dog and keep the 'fake' dog Robutt instead.
6 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 1975
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207 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,472 books27.4k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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May 11, 2017LOVE ME, LOVE MY WIRES
How do you like everyday stories? Have you ever had a dog, or wished to have one when you were a kid? There’s no need to be earthborn to experience this kind of episodes.
However, “A Boy’s Best Friend” has proved to be rather challenging. The story seems too common at first: once upon a time there lived a boy who had a dog...or a toy? What’s that even? And why is the boy so tall and spindly?
Right, things get a little weird for us. But when it comes to a Moonborn, life has to be somewhat different. Some dogs are not as real as we, Earthlings, want them to be. A trifle robotic, far more obedient.
But the thing is that "any planet is 'Earth' to those that live on it" – writes Asimov in his early novel. I guess that one must not be Moonborn to understand the Moonborn, but one should try to get a deeper insight into the reality of the other planet, so different, even more different, then the other culture. So, imagine the only dog you’ve ever seen and played with is a robotic one, with his devoted glassed-in eyes and safety assurance. It would never do. But what is nothing but an imitation for us is a real friend to Moonborn, even more real than a living creature from Earth – but I guess, the friendship of a Moonborn, the very philosophy is a bit different:
"He does everything I want him to do, Dad. He understands me. Sure, he's alive."
"But what's the difference how they act? How about how I feel? I love Robutt and that's what counts."
Because the sun is always shining on Moon. The civilization reached that longed-for frontier. The ground you stand on is replaced. The air you breathe. The children you give birth to are slightly different. The same is true when it comes to dogs. But can you really allow any kind of unreasonable will even if it is a will of a cute Scotch terrier puppy? There’s too much to stake on.
On the other hand, Asimov inclines that some artificial intelligences do not lack their cyber heart. So they can show off. They love being sprayed. They feel the menace throwing its shadow on them.
“Jimmy looked at Robutt, who was squeaking again, a very low, slow squeak, that seemed frightened.”
I do not dare to judge the kind of love this boy has. Anyway, this story is a bright, a happy one – for even on a Moon – seeming to us so cold and distant – is a place for determined devotion.
For we don’t get to choose who we love.
(Wait, am I really quoting Jaime Lannister??)
How do you like everyday stories? Have you ever had a dog, or wished to have one when you were a kid? There’s no need to be earthborn to experience this kind of episodes.
However, “A Boy’s Best Friend” has proved to be rather challenging. The story seems too common at first: once upon a time there lived a boy who had a dog...or a toy? What’s that even? And why is the boy so tall and spindly?
Right, things get a little weird for us. But when it comes to a Moonborn, life has to be somewhat different. Some dogs are not as real as we, Earthlings, want them to be. A trifle robotic, far more obedient.
But the thing is that "any planet is 'Earth' to those that live on it" – writes Asimov in his early novel. I guess that one must not be Moonborn to understand the Moonborn, but one should try to get a deeper insight into the reality of the other planet, so different, even more different, then the other culture. So, imagine the only dog you’ve ever seen and played with is a robotic one, with his devoted glassed-in eyes and safety assurance. It would never do. But what is nothing but an imitation for us is a real friend to Moonborn, even more real than a living creature from Earth – but I guess, the friendship of a Moonborn, the very philosophy is a bit different:
"He does everything I want him to do, Dad. He understands me. Sure, he's alive."
"But what's the difference how they act? How about how I feel? I love Robutt and that's what counts."
Because the sun is always shining on Moon. The civilization reached that longed-for frontier. The ground you stand on is replaced. The air you breathe. The children you give birth to are slightly different. The same is true when it comes to dogs. But can you really allow any kind of unreasonable will even if it is a will of a cute Scotch terrier puppy? There’s too much to stake on.
On the other hand, Asimov inclines that some artificial intelligences do not lack their cyber heart. So they can show off. They love being sprayed. They feel the menace throwing its shadow on them.
“Jimmy looked at Robutt, who was squeaking again, a very low, slow squeak, that seemed frightened.”
I do not dare to judge the kind of love this boy has. Anyway, this story is a bright, a happy one – for even on a Moon – seeming to us so cold and distant – is a place for determined devotion.
For we don’t get to choose who we love.
(Wait, am I really quoting Jaime Lannister??)
March 16, 2016
“A Boy’s Best Friend” is a short science fiction story by Isaac Asimov. The events take place on the Moon, where Jimmy and his parents live. The boy has a best friend Robutt, who is a robotic dog. Robutt was programmed to love and keep the child safe so that the boy could wander among the moon craters unhazardously. However, the parents decide to bring a real dog from the Earth. From their point of view, the boy should not be attached to a robotic dog, as it is simply a machine incapable of real love to a human being. Well, is it true? The ending is mysterious enough to have the readers hesitate about it.
Speaking about the central idea of the story, I can hardly single it out. The thing is that the story is too short and contains only some basic details. Although it is as plain as day, I can’t make up my minds and concentrate on a single idea. Probably, the whole story may be considered an attempt to show how strong and deep an opinion can root in human’s minds. The boy was not acquainted with other kind of friendship except the one made with the robot. For him, the possibility of having a real dog, warm, alive and fluffy, was not tempting at all. He was comfortable with having a piece of metal as the best friend and didn’t need anything more. Moreover, a real dog was something obscure, something shady for Jimmy. That’s how our mind works – we stubbornly, vigorously resist everything that can threat our outlook and undermine our own reality existing on the basis of it.
To be honest, the image of artificial intelligence acquiring human traits is alien to my thoughts. A robot must remain a robot; otherwise the existence of human beings is senseless. I can only guess if the “happy squeaks” were real or just a hallucination of a lonely and desperate child. In both cases I would not be delighted if the parents gave up the idea of bringing a real dog and destroying the fake one – for some higher, educational purposes.
On the whole, the story and its style seemed rather childish to me. I’m not aware if it is a children-oriented story, but, I think, it could be. With one stipulation, though: after reading it children should be explained that affection towards something artificial, be it a robot or a playstation, inevitably plunges you into abyss of loneliness.
Speaking about the central idea of the story, I can hardly single it out. The thing is that the story is too short and contains only some basic details. Although it is as plain as day, I can’t make up my minds and concentrate on a single idea. Probably, the whole story may be considered an attempt to show how strong and deep an opinion can root in human’s minds. The boy was not acquainted with other kind of friendship except the one made with the robot. For him, the possibility of having a real dog, warm, alive and fluffy, was not tempting at all. He was comfortable with having a piece of metal as the best friend and didn’t need anything more. Moreover, a real dog was something obscure, something shady for Jimmy. That’s how our mind works – we stubbornly, vigorously resist everything that can threat our outlook and undermine our own reality existing on the basis of it.
To be honest, the image of artificial intelligence acquiring human traits is alien to my thoughts. A robot must remain a robot; otherwise the existence of human beings is senseless. I can only guess if the “happy squeaks” were real or just a hallucination of a lonely and desperate child. In both cases I would not be delighted if the parents gave up the idea of bringing a real dog and destroying the fake one – for some higher, educational purposes.
On the whole, the story and its style seemed rather childish to me. I’m not aware if it is a children-oriented story, but, I think, it could be. With one stipulation, though: after reading it children should be explained that affection towards something artificial, be it a robot or a playstation, inevitably plunges you into abyss of loneliness.
June 4, 2017
Robutt Boy
«A Boy’s Best Friend» by I. Asimov is a quiet short story written on a familiar subject for the author – the relationship between a robot and a person. Although this is rather a fantastic story that has happened somewhere on the Moon – «A Boy’s Best Friend» tells about «earth» feelings.
Every person needs a friend – even the Moonborn like Jimmy. And he has tried to find the friend in his living environment, and, wow, that’s how the robot has become his friend. These are not just empty words, because Jimmy has the warmest feelings towards Robutt:
«…How about how I feel? I love Robutt and that what’s counts.»
It may sound impossible but Robutt also has some kind of feelings deep in his gears and wheels. He was always with the boy and could help him to get out of every trouble. More than that, at the end of the story the Robutt has made the sound that he has never made yet – it can be the reaction to Jimmy’s words about love.
And now, just imagine the following situation: you have your best friend but once someone comes to take your friend forever and give instead of him someone who you will not communicate. Nobody wants to be with «fake» friends. It is the same as the loneliness.
«A Boy’s Best Friend» is easy to read because of the simple style of the I. Asimov and the one main storyline. I do not notice many specific terms which are a spice of scientific style. But it is not bad as the story seems very dynamic.
The author has made the open ending of the story, so we can only guess what Jimmy’s father has decided. I want to believe that the end of «A Boy’s Best Friend» will be happy, because this particular story ends with the happy squeaks of the Robutt. So, read this short one if you want something about living things and feelings.
«A Boy’s Best Friend» by I. Asimov is a quiet short story written on a familiar subject for the author – the relationship between a robot and a person. Although this is rather a fantastic story that has happened somewhere on the Moon – «A Boy’s Best Friend» tells about «earth» feelings.
Every person needs a friend – even the Moonborn like Jimmy. And he has tried to find the friend in his living environment, and, wow, that’s how the robot has become his friend. These are not just empty words, because Jimmy has the warmest feelings towards Robutt:
«…How about how I feel? I love Robutt and that what’s counts.»
It may sound impossible but Robutt also has some kind of feelings deep in his gears and wheels. He was always with the boy and could help him to get out of every trouble. More than that, at the end of the story the Robutt has made the sound that he has never made yet – it can be the reaction to Jimmy’s words about love.
And now, just imagine the following situation: you have your best friend but once someone comes to take your friend forever and give instead of him someone who you will not communicate. Nobody wants to be with «fake» friends. It is the same as the loneliness.
«A Boy’s Best Friend» is easy to read because of the simple style of the I. Asimov and the one main storyline. I do not notice many specific terms which are a spice of scientific style. But it is not bad as the story seems very dynamic.
The author has made the open ending of the story, so we can only guess what Jimmy’s father has decided. I want to believe that the end of «A Boy’s Best Friend» will be happy, because this particular story ends with the happy squeaks of the Robutt. So, read this short one if you want something about living things and feelings.
December 30, 2021
I would give this a zero if I could, but this app doesn't allow it. In a few words, this book is really boring. I'm not trying to exaggerate. After a few sentences, I literally wanted to scratch my eyes out. I'm pretty sure I will never touch, more or less read any of this author's books in the future.
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November 7, 2018I have never been interested in the works written by Isaac Asimov, however the story A Boy's Best Friend made me change my attitude to the work of this writer.
This little story tells us about a boy born on the moon and his iron friend - the robot dog. Isaac Asimov set a serious dilemma for the boy, who is the main character of the story. Be faithful to the old robot dog, whom he used to consider his friend, while adults cite a lot of arguments that there is no friendship, but only a well-developed computer program ... Or prefer a real flesh-and-blood dog for which everyone is sure that only it can become a true friend for the boy, and not this piercing squeaky piece of iron ...
In my opinion, in the story the conflict of fathers and children is not the most important thing, as many say. Although perhaps it was intended.
The author touches the most interesting topic of what is the difference between a man and an artificial organism, because both of them are essentially mechanisms based on different principles of work, designed by different engineers. And as soon as the author touches on this topic, this turns out to be the end of the story.
Honestly, when I started reading, I thought that this story would be that a robot dog is better than a living dog, because it’s safer because it cares about safety like a smart machine, and not like a living being, overwhelmed by instincts. Very useful, even necessary, seemed to me on the first pages of the story a robot dog in the lunar conditions of life. But no, Asimov turned everything differently: this story is about love.
About the love of the robot to the boy - programmed, and maybe already gone further and developing already in its not very controlled trajectory. About the boy's love for the robot - childish, immediate, unconditional. About parents' love for a child - a distorted desire to give him the best from his parental point of view, from which the child’s desires, his personality, his reality are imperceptible. Will the love of parents wake up, will the feelings and desires of a beloved child see behind their feelings and desires? Unfortunately, we will not know the answers to these questions. We can only guess.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that the story made me think about many things. After reading it, I can say that I wanted to read other works by Isaac Asimov.
This little story tells us about a boy born on the moon and his iron friend - the robot dog. Isaac Asimov set a serious dilemma for the boy, who is the main character of the story. Be faithful to the old robot dog, whom he used to consider his friend, while adults cite a lot of arguments that there is no friendship, but only a well-developed computer program ... Or prefer a real flesh-and-blood dog for which everyone is sure that only it can become a true friend for the boy, and not this piercing squeaky piece of iron ...
In my opinion, in the story the conflict of fathers and children is not the most important thing, as many say. Although perhaps it was intended.
The author touches the most interesting topic of what is the difference between a man and an artificial organism, because both of them are essentially mechanisms based on different principles of work, designed by different engineers. And as soon as the author touches on this topic, this turns out to be the end of the story.
Honestly, when I started reading, I thought that this story would be that a robot dog is better than a living dog, because it’s safer because it cares about safety like a smart machine, and not like a living being, overwhelmed by instincts. Very useful, even necessary, seemed to me on the first pages of the story a robot dog in the lunar conditions of life. But no, Asimov turned everything differently: this story is about love.
About the love of the robot to the boy - programmed, and maybe already gone further and developing already in its not very controlled trajectory. About the boy's love for the robot - childish, immediate, unconditional. About parents' love for a child - a distorted desire to give him the best from his parental point of view, from which the child’s desires, his personality, his reality are imperceptible. Will the love of parents wake up, will the feelings and desires of a beloved child see behind their feelings and desires? Unfortunately, we will not know the answers to these questions. We can only guess.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that the story made me think about many things. After reading it, I can say that I wanted to read other works by Isaac Asimov.
June 24, 2017
I really liked his short story “A boy’s best friend”. It has two of my favorite things in the world combined: space and animals (dogs, for instance). The story takes place in the years when there are colonies on the Moon. It tells us about a Moon-born Jimmy, who’s a 10-year-old and owns a robotic dog Robutt. Robutt is not only his good friend, but also his guardian. Robutt can provide Jimmy’s safety and call for help immediately in case of emergency. But one day, when Jimmy and Robutt come home after a walk, Jimmy’s parents tell him they want to replace Robutt with a real dog from Earth, a Scottish terrier. As for the robotic dog, it would be reprogrammed and given to another child. Jimmy is very upset – he loves his “fake” dog, it takes care of him and they have so much fun together. The parents try to convince his son to exchange the dog, saying that Robutt doesn’t really love Jimmy and is only programmed to act as if it does. The boy doesn’t care, because he does love Robutt, and the rest doesn’t matter.
I totally agree with Jimmy, it would be hard for me if I had to make the same decision. You can choose between a toy and a real pet, but Robutt isn’t a pet. In Jimmy’s world he is a real dog, for the boy has never seen a dog from Earth. Moreover, at some points a robotic dog is even better than a real one – first of all, some people are allergic to fur, and Jimmy might also be (he’s never seen a real pet before, so this might come as a surprise when Robutt has already been reprogrammed, so Jimmy would end up with no dog at all). Secondly, real dogs have their own temper, especially purebred ones, so the Scottish terrier might dislike Jimmy, or be too calm, or too stupid. He might be unable to provide the boy’s safety, which I think is of high importance on the Moon. Moreover, the living conditions of the Earth and the Moon are very different, and bringing Scottish terrier was an experiment. The dog might not be able to live in such conditions and feel bad, or even die, and Jimmy would also end up with no dog. Of course, having a real dog is very different from having robotic one, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. And of course not for Jimmy, who feels like giving away Robutt is just the same as betraying a friend.
I totally agree with Jimmy, it would be hard for me if I had to make the same decision. You can choose between a toy and a real pet, but Robutt isn’t a pet. In Jimmy’s world he is a real dog, for the boy has never seen a dog from Earth. Moreover, at some points a robotic dog is even better than a real one – first of all, some people are allergic to fur, and Jimmy might also be (he’s never seen a real pet before, so this might come as a surprise when Robutt has already been reprogrammed, so Jimmy would end up with no dog at all). Secondly, real dogs have their own temper, especially purebred ones, so the Scottish terrier might dislike Jimmy, or be too calm, or too stupid. He might be unable to provide the boy’s safety, which I think is of high importance on the Moon. Moreover, the living conditions of the Earth and the Moon are very different, and bringing Scottish terrier was an experiment. The dog might not be able to live in such conditions and feel bad, or even die, and Jimmy would also end up with no dog. Of course, having a real dog is very different from having robotic one, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. And of course not for Jimmy, who feels like giving away Robutt is just the same as betraying a friend.
March 27, 2018
I should begin with the facts, that I don’t like science fiction stories on the whole. But despite this fact, I enjoyed “A Boy’s Best Friend” of Isaac Asimov, the master of science fiction stories. Probably, because it’s short enough and it didn’t manage to bore me, but the very moral seems practical and topical at the age of artificial intelligence and modern technology. But in my opinion the main problem of this story is morality, feelings of a human being and friendship.
The story starts with the conversation of the parents of Jimmy who are talking about some present from the Earth, which will definitely replace Robutt, Jimmy’s best friend-robot. Then we see the description of the fun between Robutt and the boy, they are going in the kangaroo hop, running and amusing themselves. But will Jimmy replace his best friend Robutt by a living thing? Will the robot ever replace a living thing? Isaac Asimov touches upon the questions of the compatible existence of robots and human beings. But I’m not very informed about modern technology and if robots have any feelings so I won’t discuss it.
I want to open a subject of morality in this story. The boy seems to love his pet, as I can call it, and why the father thinks that some present, even a living thing, can just replace Robutt which Jimmy truly loves from the bottom of his heart. Of course, Robutt is just a robot and his feelings are programed but Jimmy has attachment to it, connection with it and common memories. Robutt spend with him so much time that he can’t do nothing but love it. Personally It’s stupid to think that you don’t have any feelings towards lifeless things because people can really love their cars, mobile phones, labtops and even give them names. So why couldn’t Jimmy like his pet?
To sum up, the story will definitely find the readers, because many people love read about something fantastic and imaginary. If you are of this kind, go ahead! You should spend some time on a real good piece of science fiction work, where not only the Moon world is shown, but the themes of morality and human feelings.
The story starts with the conversation of the parents of Jimmy who are talking about some present from the Earth, which will definitely replace Robutt, Jimmy’s best friend-robot. Then we see the description of the fun between Robutt and the boy, they are going in the kangaroo hop, running and amusing themselves. But will Jimmy replace his best friend Robutt by a living thing? Will the robot ever replace a living thing? Isaac Asimov touches upon the questions of the compatible existence of robots and human beings. But I’m not very informed about modern technology and if robots have any feelings so I won’t discuss it.
I want to open a subject of morality in this story. The boy seems to love his pet, as I can call it, and why the father thinks that some present, even a living thing, can just replace Robutt which Jimmy truly loves from the bottom of his heart. Of course, Robutt is just a robot and his feelings are programed but Jimmy has attachment to it, connection with it and common memories. Robutt spend with him so much time that he can’t do nothing but love it. Personally It’s stupid to think that you don’t have any feelings towards lifeless things because people can really love their cars, mobile phones, labtops and even give them names. So why couldn’t Jimmy like his pet?
To sum up, the story will definitely find the readers, because many people love read about something fantastic and imaginary. If you are of this kind, go ahead! You should spend some time on a real good piece of science fiction work, where not only the Moon world is shown, but the themes of morality and human feelings.
June 24, 2017
Isaac Asimov was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. "A Boy's Best Friend" is a science fiction short story about Jimmy Anderson, a Moon-born ten-year-old boy and his robotic dog named Robutt. They were the best friends, the mechanic dog must have really understood Jimmy, and it was a friendship for the ages. However, Jimmy’s parents weren’t so excited about his steel friend with a simple positronic brain and they decided to give a gift from Earth to their dear son – a real dog. It was the first dog on the Moon – a Scotch terrier puppy. But Jimmy didn't want to change for something different and unknown – he loved his squeaking old dog-friend. It was a great tragedy for him.
This story is written in simple language and, in my opinion, it is understandable and clear for all the ages. The mechanic dog symbolizes the people that we used to see every day, our relatives and friends, and it’s very hard and even unimaginable when we have to leave them. Our intimate friends and family don’t always behave like you want, but you are completely confident in their honesty, sincerity and care. Just think about all the people you’ve ever met, you didn’t trust them at once, your attitude towards them has been becoming more or less positive for several months. Therefore, for the main character – Jimmy – a new dog was a stranger and the boy couldn’t love it in a day. Even on a psychological level, it is clearly expected because nobody has warm feelings for any stranger.
In conclusion, I would like to say that we should search for meaning in such easy and usual situations. We would never be able to find it in the quotations of the famous Greek thinkers; it is near us, in the open.
This story is written in simple language and, in my opinion, it is understandable and clear for all the ages. The mechanic dog symbolizes the people that we used to see every day, our relatives and friends, and it’s very hard and even unimaginable when we have to leave them. Our intimate friends and family don’t always behave like you want, but you are completely confident in their honesty, sincerity and care. Just think about all the people you’ve ever met, you didn’t trust them at once, your attitude towards them has been becoming more or less positive for several months. Therefore, for the main character – Jimmy – a new dog was a stranger and the boy couldn’t love it in a day. Even on a psychological level, it is clearly expected because nobody has warm feelings for any stranger.
In conclusion, I would like to say that we should search for meaning in such easy and usual situations. We would never be able to find it in the quotations of the famous Greek thinkers; it is near us, in the open.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2017
Well, I must say that this story, named ‘The boy’s best friend’ written by Isaak Asimov, has impressed me more than the previous. Perhaps this story I has liked because I love stories that make you think about eternal values.
This touching story tells us about a little boy ,named Jimmy, who lives on the Moon and wants to have a four-legged friend. Of course, he's already got a puppy, but the boy is not happy, because the robot dog, whose name is Robatt. And although Jimmy do for Robot all that is demanded would be the living dog, the boy still dreams of an alive dog. But when the boy receives the coveted living dog, he faces a choice between a friend and a dream. And while Jimmy dreams of a living dog, he still cannot betray a friend and choose the robot.
Well, first of all, it should be noticed that the text , which was written by Asimov, is easy to read and understand because the language is amazing. What’s more the author does not give personal subjective evaluations of the characters that give the reader the opportunity to form his or her independent opinion. The last thing I would like to mention is the clever usage of such a method as the embodiment. Because despite the fact that the author reminds readers that the robot dog all the time , he'll make it all the characteristics peculiar to living dogs.
To sum up, I’d like to say that I was enjoyed by this story and what’s more because of Isaac Asimov, I started to think about the nature of friendship and loneliness.
This touching story tells us about a little boy ,named Jimmy, who lives on the Moon and wants to have a four-legged friend. Of course, he's already got a puppy, but the boy is not happy, because the robot dog, whose name is Robatt. And although Jimmy do for Robot all that is demanded would be the living dog, the boy still dreams of an alive dog. But when the boy receives the coveted living dog, he faces a choice between a friend and a dream. And while Jimmy dreams of a living dog, he still cannot betray a friend and choose the robot.
Well, first of all, it should be noticed that the text , which was written by Asimov, is easy to read and understand because the language is amazing. What’s more the author does not give personal subjective evaluations of the characters that give the reader the opportunity to form his or her independent opinion. The last thing I would like to mention is the clever usage of such a method as the embodiment. Because despite the fact that the author reminds readers that the robot dog all the time , he'll make it all the characteristics peculiar to living dogs.
To sum up, I’d like to say that I was enjoyed by this story and what’s more because of Isaac Asimov, I started to think about the nature of friendship and loneliness.
March 27, 2018
“A boy’s best friend” by Isaac Asimov
This story is set far in the future when habitation of the Moon has already taken place. Jimmy Anderson is a Moon-born ten-year-old, and he owns a robotic dog named Robutt, whom he comes to love. He can go on the moon freely and securely as he is moon born and has Robutt with him. However, his parents want him to have a real dog, a Scottish Terrier. Since Moon-borns cannot visit Earth, his parents bring the dog to the Moon. Jimmy doesn't want to part away from Robutt. But since the relationship between Jimmy and Robutt is so close, Jimmy decides not to have the 'living' dog and keep the 'fake' dog Robutt instead. Jimmy straight away disagree to what his parents says and tightly hug his robutt.
I think it is very important to have a pet at home. And it absolutely does not matter, what kind of animal it is. It can be: a cat, a dog, a hamster, a parrot or even a gold fish,but out character has chosen the so called “fake” dog Robutt.I suppose,the reason is that Jimmy loves him,it doesn’t matter whether it’s “living” or not,he likes its squeaking and somersaulting ,its four legs and tendons of steel.He loves it because it makes him happy in spite of its heart made of steel and he had no mouth.Jimmy is the so called hero of our times because he appreciates what he has and it’s vital to remain human being in our cruel world.
In conclusion,I would recommend to read this heart piercing story in order to make sure that there are people who can appreciate and not leave friends to their fate.
This story is set far in the future when habitation of the Moon has already taken place. Jimmy Anderson is a Moon-born ten-year-old, and he owns a robotic dog named Robutt, whom he comes to love. He can go on the moon freely and securely as he is moon born and has Robutt with him. However, his parents want him to have a real dog, a Scottish Terrier. Since Moon-borns cannot visit Earth, his parents bring the dog to the Moon. Jimmy doesn't want to part away from Robutt. But since the relationship between Jimmy and Robutt is so close, Jimmy decides not to have the 'living' dog and keep the 'fake' dog Robutt instead. Jimmy straight away disagree to what his parents says and tightly hug his robutt.
I think it is very important to have a pet at home. And it absolutely does not matter, what kind of animal it is. It can be: a cat, a dog, a hamster, a parrot or even a gold fish,but out character has chosen the so called “fake” dog Robutt.I suppose,the reason is that Jimmy loves him,it doesn’t matter whether it’s “living” or not,he likes its squeaking and somersaulting ,its four legs and tendons of steel.He loves it because it makes him happy in spite of its heart made of steel and he had no mouth.Jimmy is the so called hero of our times because he appreciates what he has and it’s vital to remain human being in our cruel world.
In conclusion,I would recommend to read this heart piercing story in order to make sure that there are people who can appreciate and not leave friends to their fate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2017
You know, I find something special in every science fiction work, for any of them somehow carries me away and all this usually leads to compulsive reading. It was one of the first genres that fascinated me in my childhood, and maybe that’s why I have such an affection for it. "A Boy's Best Friend" is a little cute story written by American writer Isaac Asimov who is Russian by birth. The future itself appears before us: humans has inhabited the Moon and as I understand, robots are a usual thing for people here. We see the main character – the boy named Jimmy Anderson, who is only ten years old. Besides that, he’s moon-born (wow! can you imagine? I really don’t know why, but this thing literally blows my mind)! The point is Jimmy is really lucky for he is an owner of a cool robotic dog named Robutt (robot-mutt, haha /no, it isn't funny, though the boy's parents don't think so/), which loves and protects him, as he think. Further we can see the parents convincing their son that the dog just pretends to love him and is programmed to protect him. Why? They have decided to present a REAL dog for their son, claiming that the two creatures are really different. Well, Jimmy doesn’t even want to listen to them… And since the relationship between Jimmy and Robutt is so close, Jimmy decides to turn down the living dog and keep Robutt instead. Awww!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2018
"A Boy's Best Friend" is a science fiction short story by I.Asimov published in 1975. This story is set far in the future when people had already inhabited the Moon.
Jimmy Anderson is a Moon-born ten-year-old, and he owns a robotic dog named Robutt, whom he comes to love. He can go on the moon freely and securely as he is moon born and has Robutt with him. However, his parents want him to have a real dog, a Scottish Terrier. Since Moon-borns cannot visit Earth, his parents bring the dog to the Moon. But relationships between the boy and Robutt are so warm that Jimmy decides not to leave his old true friend.
Every person needs a friend - even the Moonborn Jimmy. And he has found this friend in the person of Robutt. It’s interesting, but Robutt also has some kind of feelings deep in his gears and wheels. He was always with the boy and could help him to get out of every trouble. More than that, at the end of the story the Robutt has made the sound that he has never made yet – it can be the reaction to Jimmy’s words about love.
This story is easy to read because of the author’s style of writing. The author has made the open ending of the story, so we can only guess what Jimmy’s father has decided. Personally I believe in the happy ending of this story.
I would recommend this book to those who is keen on science fictions and short simple stories.
March 27, 2018
"A Boys Best Friend" is a story written by Isaac Asimov, an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, known for his works of science fiction and popular science. The story tells us about real friendship and affection.
The action takes place on Moon, where the main character Jimmy lives with his family. The only friend he has on Moon is his mechanical pet - dog Robutt. But the principal problem is that Jimmy's parents are determined to buy him a new dog and send Robutt to earth to another boy or girl. The boy is horrified at the idea that he will have to give up his pet, but his father explains they can’t keep both. Jimmy objects and I can understand him and his feelings. He is disappointed in his parents. They are apparently grown ups but they failed to comprehend that the one of the basic things in life is friendship. And instead of nurturing such human traits as the kindness and disinterestedness, they teach their son volatility. A friend, in their opinion, is someone who they can change if they are bored and have enough of him or if they have found somebody who is more ideal.
To conclude I'd like to say that this story teaches us to appreciate our friends, because they are not ideal, of course, but they are ready to help us in our hour of need.
The action takes place on Moon, where the main character Jimmy lives with his family. The only friend he has on Moon is his mechanical pet - dog Robutt. But the principal problem is that Jimmy's parents are determined to buy him a new dog and send Robutt to earth to another boy or girl. The boy is horrified at the idea that he will have to give up his pet, but his father explains they can’t keep both. Jimmy objects and I can understand him and his feelings. He is disappointed in his parents. They are apparently grown ups but they failed to comprehend that the one of the basic things in life is friendship. And instead of nurturing such human traits as the kindness and disinterestedness, they teach their son volatility. A friend, in their opinion, is someone who they can change if they are bored and have enough of him or if they have found somebody who is more ideal.
To conclude I'd like to say that this story teaches us to appreciate our friends, because they are not ideal, of course, but they are ready to help us in our hour of need.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2018
Today I'm going to tell you about the story called "A Boy's Best Friend". The author of the story is Isaac Asimov. The work is very short, but it is definitely worth reading.
The events take place on the Moon. A man and woman talk about their son, Jimmy. They are discussing something for their boy to arrive, but it isn't clear, what is it. At the same time Jimmy is playing with Robutt on the crater. What is Robutt and what it can do you'll find out yourself.
The story is relevant today, because it is about technology and people's relation with it. But the author doesn't criticize machines, as it often happens, he gives technologies a chance. Isaac Asimov also dwells upon the relationships between children and their pets and children's perception of the world.
In conclusion, I would like to say that sometimes we forget that gadgets are not real, because we use them all the time. But maybe devices are not so bad, and if we use them responsibly, they will be our friends. And probably one day they will be smart enough to have feelings for people.
The events take place on the Moon. A man and woman talk about their son, Jimmy. They are discussing something for their boy to arrive, but it isn't clear, what is it. At the same time Jimmy is playing with Robutt on the crater. What is Robutt and what it can do you'll find out yourself.
The story is relevant today, because it is about technology and people's relation with it. But the author doesn't criticize machines, as it often happens, he gives technologies a chance. Isaac Asimov also dwells upon the relationships between children and their pets and children's perception of the world.
In conclusion, I would like to say that sometimes we forget that gadgets are not real, because we use them all the time. But maybe devices are not so bad, and if we use them responsibly, they will be our friends. And probably one day they will be smart enough to have feelings for people.
December 12, 2021
Collected in The Complete Robot. Jimmy's best friend is Robutt, a Robot Mutt, perfectly designed as his companion to accompany him and keep him from the dangers on the Moon. One day his father decides to bring a real dog from Earth, a Scottish Terrier, to replace Robutt. This story asks the reader to consider their attachment to pets and whether this might change if the pet is inanimate. I find this particularly interesting since we have modern day virtual pets like the Japanese Tamogotchi and other robot toys that kids can and do get very attached to.
July 13, 2025
I decided to start reading The Complete Robot and decided I would review each of these in order. I will then collect these into a single collection. So, beginning I started by first reading A Boy’s Best Friend. This one was an absolutely heartbreaking piece. The fact that the parents don’t get it, thinking that a pet, even one which is an automaton which can just be swapped out for the ‘real thing,’ exposing their ignorance on the subject is a great way to illustrate how the parents just don’t seem to understand what the difference is for them. Asimov uses the narrative function of science fiction perfectly: Being a vehicle to explore something far more human (in this instance parents trying to replace a pet and believing the child would be happy about it).
This is a really good introduction to the collection.
This is a really good introduction to the collection.
October 1, 2023
Il fedele amico dell’uomo è un racconto breve e piacevole, che si legge in poco tempo e che offre una visione interessante del rapporto tra umani e robot e pone alcune domande stimolanti sul significato dell’amicizia e della lealtà. Asimov riesce a creare una storia coinvolgente e commovente, basata sul legame tra Jimmy e Robotolo.
Tuttavia, il racconto non è privo di difetti. Innanzitutto, la trama è abbastanza prevedibie inoltre, il racconto è troppo breve per approfondire adeguatamente i temi proposti, che rimangono solo accennati. Lo consiglio agli amanti della fantascienza classica.
Tuttavia, il racconto non è privo di difetti. Innanzitutto, la trama è abbastanza prevedibie inoltre, il racconto è troppo breve per approfondire adeguatamente i temi proposti, che rimangono solo accennati. Lo consiglio agli amanti della fantascienza classica.
May 14, 2025
This story follows one of Asimov's classic themes of having an emotional attachment to robots/treating robots as a real, living thing, however because of the length of this story, there is not much room to fully develop this theme. Instead the story just has a quick setup->end result without much elaboration or detail in the middle. While the story is not bad or boring at all, it is hard for me to find much value in it when Robbie covers similar themes in a more fleshed out, not as sped up way.
October 19, 2024
4
The first story in The Complete Robot collection of Asimov robot stories I just started. Interesting, originally published the month and year I was born.
Not sure if I have read this one before. But possibly. I've rea so many, and I've been reading Asimov a loooong time.
Not my favorite Asimov robot story. A bit of Robbie ripoff...but not as good or endearing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Boy...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_C...
The first story in The Complete Robot collection of Asimov robot stories I just started. Interesting, originally published the month and year I was born.
Not sure if I have read this one before. But possibly. I've rea so many, and I've been reading Asimov a loooong time.
Not my favorite Asimov robot story. A bit of Robbie ripoff...but not as good or endearing.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Boy...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_C...
February 7, 2019
A heartwarming short story by one of SF's best. Contains ideas for various topics of discussion, e.g., gratitude for – and contentment with – that which one has; loyalty; children's empowerment; the nature of reality, etc..
March 4, 2021
Much too short, even for a short story. This one feels like an unfinished conceptualisation. It had the potential to be a truely romantic Robutt story in fine Asimov style but it's not really long enough to grab you in that way.
May 30, 2024
The first of the Robot Series. It all begins here.
So you're living on the moon, do you want your son to grow up with a real dog or a robot dog?
Does it even matter whether it's real or robot to a child as long as the child loves it?
So you're living on the moon, do you want your son to grow up with a real dog or a robot dog?
Does it even matter whether it's real or robot to a child as long as the child loves it?
November 4, 2018
My personal favorite short story.
I own an AIBO and am often ridiculed for being friends with something that "isn't alive". I can relate to the boy in the story. 💖🤖🐶
I own an AIBO and am often ridiculed for being friends with something that "isn't alive". I can relate to the boy in the story. 💖🤖🐶
October 23, 2020
I loved it. I read it in about 5 to 10 minutes. Its quite short. If you like computing and/or robotics, a must read.
October 16, 2022
Tierna historia en la que el pequeño protagonista se a encariñado con su robo perro y ya no quiere uno verdadero.
December 8, 2022
Why did this hurt?
March 12, 2025
Si tuviera que resumirlo en una frase, diría: ¿Y lo que yo siento?
Cuento sencillo pero con muchas implicaciones sobre la amistad y los propios sentimientos. La amistad pura, sin discriminaciones.
Cuento sencillo pero con muchas implicaciones sobre la amistad y los propios sentimientos. La amistad pura, sin discriminaciones.
September 21, 2025
Type of Stories that make you Awwwwwwwww
March 16, 2016
Imagine I asked you how many stories about relationships you’ve read. You’d probably say dozens or even hundreds. Sure. So many stories out there are about relationships if not all of them: relationships between friends, enemies, frenemies, lovers, mothers and their children, teachers and their learners and there are so many more. I can even bet you’ve once read a ‘teardropy’ book about a dog and its owner. But have you read a story about the relationship between a boy and a robot dog? Well now you must admit I got you with this one.
In the story “A Boy’s Best Friend” by Isaac Asimov this odd friendship is not the only unusual thing. Apparently the scene of action is Moon, people live in Lunar City, walk along the craters and throw an occasional daydreaming gaze at the surface of the Earth. Seems like a lovely life, isn’t it? Now back to the main storyline. This boy, Jimmy, is stricken by his parents’ intention to replace his robot dog, Robutt, with a reallife puppy. Who will he choose? A dog made of steel who has been nothing but a loyal friend to him or a new actual dog? I wish I could say that you’re about to find the answer in a story but actually you’re not. The author leaves the thinking and guessing to his reader.
I can’t call myself a fan of science fiction, but I truly loved this story. There’s something so special and delicate about the friendship between Jimmy and Robutt and to me it’s obvious who he will choose. There’s a Russian saying that goes “An old friend is worth more than two new ones” and I think it fits perfectly here. Even though at first I thought pages from my book were missing and I wanted to know what happens next. Probably it was the open ending that I appreciated the most in this story. But honestly, what’s not to appreciate?
In the story “A Boy’s Best Friend” by Isaac Asimov this odd friendship is not the only unusual thing. Apparently the scene of action is Moon, people live in Lunar City, walk along the craters and throw an occasional daydreaming gaze at the surface of the Earth. Seems like a lovely life, isn’t it? Now back to the main storyline. This boy, Jimmy, is stricken by his parents’ intention to replace his robot dog, Robutt, with a reallife puppy. Who will he choose? A dog made of steel who has been nothing but a loyal friend to him or a new actual dog? I wish I could say that you’re about to find the answer in a story but actually you’re not. The author leaves the thinking and guessing to his reader.
I can’t call myself a fan of science fiction, but I truly loved this story. There’s something so special and delicate about the friendship between Jimmy and Robutt and to me it’s obvious who he will choose. There’s a Russian saying that goes “An old friend is worth more than two new ones” and I think it fits perfectly here. Even though at first I thought pages from my book were missing and I wanted to know what happens next. Probably it was the open ending that I appreciated the most in this story. But honestly, what’s not to appreciate?
March 16, 2016
The story «A boy`s first friend» by Isaac Asimov is an example of a nice combination of a not very intricate plot, not completely elaborate characters and artful language. However, this story certainly has a moral. And I cannot deny that its simplicity is an advantage, in a sense, making it ready to readers` grasp.
First of all, when we are talking about robots, artificial intelligence and life on other planets, in short, about science fiction it`s clear that many people could like it or not. Though such term as ` science fiction ` involves much more than things connected with high techs, let`s just remember `1984` by George Orwell or `Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea` by Jules Verne. But here we have a short story where `science fiction` cover is so insignificant with the kernel of a narrative inside.
Main characters, a boy with his dog, Robutt, are in the centre of attention. Let`s agree that machines and living creatures differ a lot. And here we have a distinction between them rubbed out by boy`s love. Only in such genre a person could prefer pretending a fake dog to have feelings rather than having a real one.
Were I asked about my attitude towards this story I`d say that there`s a plenty of worth notice stories that must be read though exactly this narration shows how new generations become more and more related with machines, how much they become attached to them. What I`d also like to see in this story is the answer to the question where such affection will lead us.
First of all, when we are talking about robots, artificial intelligence and life on other planets, in short, about science fiction it`s clear that many people could like it or not. Though such term as ` science fiction ` involves much more than things connected with high techs, let`s just remember `1984` by George Orwell or `Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea` by Jules Verne. But here we have a short story where `science fiction` cover is so insignificant with the kernel of a narrative inside.
Main characters, a boy with his dog, Robutt, are in the centre of attention. Let`s agree that machines and living creatures differ a lot. And here we have a distinction between them rubbed out by boy`s love. Only in such genre a person could prefer pretending a fake dog to have feelings rather than having a real one.
Were I asked about my attitude towards this story I`d say that there`s a plenty of worth notice stories that must be read though exactly this narration shows how new generations become more and more related with machines, how much they become attached to them. What I`d also like to see in this story is the answer to the question where such affection will lead us.
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