Fritz Leiber - The Green Millennium

Barnes said, spreading himself around, “Why, now there’ll be one for the Army, the Navy, Dr. Opperly, myself, that goon back east who thinks he’s going to be the next president…”

“Now Bobbie,” Opperly suggested, “don’t go giving away more kittens than you’ve got.”

“… and, I was about to say,” Barnes finished calmly, “one for this young fellow here.”

Phil looked down at Lucky cradled in his arms. “So you’re a she after all,” he said.

“Oh no!” Dytie burst out excitedly, half out of her cloak and half in it. “You no un’erstand Vega. On Vega sex different. On Vega it’s like…” and she screwed up her face, seeking for the word.

“Kangaroos,” Opperly interposed.

“Yes!” Dytie exclaimed triumphantly. “Only this difference: wife carry babies while, then babies go in father’s pouch, he carry rest time. Everybody help. Later on, babies leave pouch, nurse from mother. Take off pants, Dion, show pouch.”

But Dion refused rather indignantly.

“Vega men much modest,” Dytie observed to Phil. “Anyway, Lucky is he.”

The author of many novels and short stories, including GATHER DARKNESS and The Lankhmar series, Fritz Leiber won many awards, including the Hugo and Nebula, and a Life Award for his contribution to his field, presented at the Second World Fantasy Convention. He died in 1992.