A man starts having terrifying dreams in which he's plagued by a monstrous creature.

Yet - although hideously repellent - the parasite seems strangely familiar to him...

First published in 1953, Arthur C Clarke's tale is read by Nicholas Boulton.

Arthur C Clarke, along with Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov, are known as Science-Fiction's "Big Three". Their work was key to the 1950s and 60s being recognised as the genre's Golden Age.

Abridged and produced by Gemma Jenkins

Made for BBC Radio 7 and first broadcast in 2007. Show less