An Ape Reaches for the Moon

Of all the creatures who had yet walked on Earth, the man-apes were the first to look steadfastly at the Moon. And though he could not remember it, when he was very young Moon-Watcher would sometimes reach out and try to touch that ghostly face rising above the hills.

He had never succeeded, and now he was old enough to understand why. For first, of course, he must find a high enough tree to climb.

Arthur C. Clarke, 2001 (2012-12-10)

• 2001
• ape
• science fiction
• space exploration