Return Blessing: A Science Fiction Short Story

He just wants to have fun.

Why won't the aliens let him?

Jeffrey just wants to have a good time, drinking and partying in the human zone near the city of the low-tech, insectoid aliens native to the planet Valoduria.

His dad disapproves his lifestyle, but the old man is willing to pay for it. As long as Jeffrey transmits amateur xenology videos home every week.

Jeffrey gets along fine with the Valodurians. Sure, they all look alike to him, but humans all look the same to them, right? They give him gifts. They don't even care he can't tell a religious icon from a sex toy, or a brimless hat from a floppy drinking cup.

Now, if only Jeffrey could tell what one particular Valodurian, with unreadable eyes and sharp mouthparts, wants when it asks him to "return blessing."