Lilith's Brood (Xenogenesis, #1-3)

by Octavia E. Butler

“This isn’t anything dangerous,” she said. “Some of your people must have seen our books, tapes, disks, films—our records of history, medicine, language, science, all kinds of things. I just want to make my own records of your language.” “I know about the … records your people kept. I didn’t know what they were called in English, but I’ve seen them. We’ve saved many of them and learned to use them to know humans better. I don’t understand them, but others do.” “May I see them?” “No. None of your people are permitted to see them.” “Why?” It did not answer. “Nikanj?” Silence. “Then … at least let me make my own records to help me learn your language. We humans need to do such things to help us remember.” “No.” She frowned. “But … what do you mean, ‘no’? We do.” “I cannot give you such things. Not to write or to read.” “Why!” “It is not allowed. The people have decided that it should not be allowed.” “That doesn’t answer anything. What was their reason?” Silence again.