# The Beginning

By Henry Hasse.

"The Beginning" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. This narrative explores themes of discovery, primal survival, and the consequences of technological advancement through the experience of its protagonist, Gral, a member of a prehistoric tribe. The story delves into the transformative moment when mankind's ingenuity leads to the creation of a weapon, setting the stage for both progress and inevitable conflict. In the tale, Gral, perceived as weak and small among the tribesmen, stumbles upon a method to enhance their hunting capabilities by devising a weapon using stones and sinew. This innovation earns him the now-respected title of Gral-the-Bringer, as he brings down formidable prey like the great bear. However, as the tribe of Gor-wah adopts this new technology, it unwittingly leads to the rise of rivalries, resulting in a brutal cycle of violence and destruction among tribes. The narrative concludes on a reflective note, suggesting that man’s relentless pursuit of invention will continue to spur both creation and catastrophe, thus framing the story as a cautionary exploration of human nature and societal evolution. (Summary by Project Gutenberg, written by machine.)

- Language: English
- Illustrator: Virgil Finlay
- Subjects: Short stories; Prehistoric peoples -- Fiction

[Read it](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/books/gutenberg/27645/read)
[Plain text](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/api/books/gutenberg/27645/text)

From Project Gutenberg. Public domain in the United States.