Any psychology that does not have the power to move you to tears, or to warm your heart, is not worthy of the name. Not that this is a book about psychology, but it is profoundly psychological, mysterious, and a thorough education in matters of the heart - especially the heart of young men; and the hearts of people who are charged with the sacred duty of caring for children. Daniel O'Beeve is born on Earth, to a family that is profoundly damaged by colonial oppression, and economic devastation; and dominated by a clergy that is charged with using them as political pawns in the European war between feudalism and capitalism. But he is most profoundly 'adopted' by a little blue, furry, alien professor, who comes to love him like a son. This book is primarily about Daniel O'Beeve; a little Earthling of no particular consequence.However, the first thing I have to do is to introduce somebody other than Daniel O'Beeve. This might seem odd, but everything about me and my life is decidedly odd - and Daniel's is even odder.Now, of course, some discerning reader will, at this point, object:"Hang on there, Jim! You are Daniel O'Beeve!"No! I reject this interpretation.

This is just a rumour; a misunderstanding. I am the channel through which Daniel O'Beeve speaks to the world. There are, of course, many parallels between my life and his, but he is a bigger person than I ever was! Also braver! More thoughtful, and creative.I channel him! I drape his communications in some details derived from reflections upon my own life. In that sense it could be said to mirror some aspects of my personal mythology, my autobiography. But, without the communications from Daniel, this story would not exist. He is more than half the story - and the more important half at that!Furthermore, I also know something about another character in this story, and he is insisting upon being introduced first. That character is Nuveen Valises.

And if you read this story, I feel sure you will agree that, without Nuveen Valises, this story would never have been worth telling!~~~ Nuveen Valises was a child of love! He knew that from his earliest conscious experiences, burned into his warm and happy memories of lying in his father's arms, outside Silga's glass pod, on the edge of the luminous village of Lam. Silga was the most devoted father in the village (even though fathers from the Klimmantz race are famed for their love of their offspring); and he smiled constantly at his child's little blue, furry face. He took his child to Suskeen, the equally devoted mother, for feeding, at intervals of approximately three saskas (which is roughly equivalent to two Earth hours).Of course, neither parent knew anything about planet Earth, which was not on the intergalactic map of the universe at that time.By the time he reached an age where he could leave his father's pod, Nuveen was well prepared for his studies at the most prestigious school of psychology on planet Wampak 17F.Silga and Suskeen missed him enormously, because their multi-valves hearts were so full of love for their son. But they were consoled by the fact that they felt he was destined for great things. They had been told by his tutors that he would make a great contribution to the Federation's knowledge - and knowledge is power.

Little did they know that their little blue, furry offspring would discover planet Earth (with some assistance!); create the theory of elfa badalla (and search for evidence, in the life of Daniel O'Beeve, for the existence of this potent ectoplasm); and bring the Irish people to the attention of the whole of the universe which is organized within the Intergalactic Federation.By an accident of history, Professor Nuveen Valises would discover the little, unwanted Earthling, Daniel O'Beeve, and stake the tail end of his long and promising career on a detailed study of Earth psychology, by studying the life of Daniel.