Grove of the Unborn

Grove of the Unborn is a mid-20th century science fiction short story by Lyn Venable. It follows John Tyndall, a third engineer aboard the starship Polaris, who mistakenly believes he has been abandoned on the alien planet Arrill. As he navigates this unfamiliar world, he encounters the Arrillian people and their worship of a creature known as the Bugs, ultimately becoming entangled in a prophecy involving the priestess Lhyreesa. The narrative explores themes of identity and the intersection of human and extraterrestrial life.