SF about a human taken to another planet to fight for species [s]

[Adam]

I read this book (potentially just a short story) in Jr High about 1992. I recall the plot being that some alien race took a human and some representative of another race and dropped them on this uninhabited planet to fight to the death for the existence of their species. The other alien I recall being some sort of ball with tentacles or something. The twist was that there was a huge transparent barrier between the two of them and they had to figure out how to get at/attack the other through it.

Thank you!

[Peter]

It's a short story called "Arena," by Frederic Brown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_%2...

Remember the old Star Trek episode where he fought the lizard man? That was based - badly - on this story.

[Adam]

After all these years, I have my answer in 1 hour. Amazing, thank you so much.

I do recall that episode, but not the part with the Metrons, so I never put 2 and 2 together there. Thanks again.

[Lisa]

If anyone can find a book at Goodreads that has this, please post a link so it can be shelved. Thanks very much.

[Adam]

I don't know how to 'shelve' it, but the story is in here:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

[Lisa]

Thanks, Adam! I'll shelve it now.