to serve the man (original Title: To Serve Man ) is a Nouvelle of Science-fiction of the writer Damon Knight, published in 1953.

Synopsis

The Kanamit , extraterrestrial race very advanced, recently arrived on Earth animated of the best intentions. They help the Human ones to get rid of the war, to overcome the disease and the famine without anything to ask in exchange. They organize even massive voyages towards their planet so that the human ones learn with better knowing them. All thus goes for best until the day when the narrator, former member of the the United Nations, succeeds in seizing a dictionary which enables him to translate the famous handbook Kanamit entitled: How to serve the man? It realizes whereas it is about a book of kitchen.

Literary prize

• This new received, on a purely retroactive basis, the Prix Hugo of the best news (Best Short Story) of the year 1951.

Publications in France

• Re-examined Galaxies n° November 1st, th and th 1953.