Teething Ring: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Teething Ring: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Teething Ring is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Causey, James (1924–2003).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Teething Ring" by James Causey is a science fiction short story written in the early 1950s. The narrative revolves around the interactions between Melinda Adams, a housewife, and an alien peddler named Porteous, who mistakenly believes she lives in a lower-class culture. The story explores themes of societal misunderstanding and the humorous consequences that arise when advanced technology encounters a seemingly primitive environment. In the tale, Melinda is initially annoyed by Porteous's visit but becomes intrigued by his array of alien gadgets. Despite her resistance, she engages with him, showcasing her life and cultural practices. When Porteous introduces a neural distorter, which he claims could enhance her son Harry Junior's intelligence, Melinda's protective instincts kick in. The story takes a twist when a Galactic Security officer arrives, revealing that Porteous's assumptions about Melinda's world were incorrect, thus raising questions about classification and cultural context. Ultimately, as Melinda reflects on the day’s events, Harry Junior demonstrates a uniquely childlike ambition, dreaming of grand achievements that feel hilariously out of reach.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Teething Ring
- Author credits: Causey, James (1924–2003)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
- Science Fiction
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


