Bears Discover Fire and Other Stories

by Terry Bisson
short stories speculative fiction
Reviewed on: 11th June 2025.

You know how when you slap or flap meat, it makes a noise? They talk by flapping their meat at each other. They can even sing by squirting air through their meat.

Terry Bisson in They're Made Out of Meat

Bears Discover Fire — Bears discover fire. It’s pretty self-explanatory; why are you confused?

The Two Janets — Janet keeps in touch with family and friends, as famous authors move into her hometown.

They’re Made Out of Meat — Aliens are deeply disturbed by human physiology.

Over Flat Mountain — A truck driver and a hitchhiker share a ride while climbing a weird mountain.

Press Ann — A sentient ATM messes with users and passersby.

The Coon Suit — A distant observant to a hunting gathering finds himself unfortunately involved.

George — First time parents are challenged by their newborn’s peculiar deformity.

Next — An unlawful couple applies for an unlawful wedding license.

Necronauts — A painter is recruited to portray his expeditions to the afterlife.

Are There Any Questions? — A developer explains his business to convert trash into real estate.

Two Guys from the Future —

The Toxic Donut —

Canción Auténtica de Old Earth —

Partial People —

Carl’s Lawn & Garden —

The Message —

England Underway —

By Permit Only —

The Shadow Knows —