A Boy's Best Friend is a 1975 science-fiction short story by Isaac Asimov.
Part of the Robot series, it was first published in the March 1975 issue of Boys' Life. It was later collected in 1982's The Complete Robot.
Summary[]
A ten-year-old boy named Jimmy lives with his parents in Lunar City, a settlement on the Moon. His constant companion is Robutt, a small, dog-like robot that plays with him on the lunar surface, protects him from danger, and communicates through a series of expressive squeaks. Jimmy's father has arranged for a real Scotch terrier puppy to be brought from Earth, believing his son will prefer a living animal.
Mr. Anderson explains that Robutt is merely a programmed machine, while the dog will offer genuine, living affection. Jimmy challenges this distinction, arguing that Robutt does everything he could want and that he loves the robot. He questions whether anyone can truly know what the dog feels inside, suggesting its behavior might also be a form of acting. Jimmy's final, decisive point is that his own feelings are what matter most—he loves Robutt, and that is what counts.
Characters[]
- Jimmy
- Mr. Anderson
- Mrs. Anderson
- Robutt
Places[]
- Lunar City
See Also[]
List of short stories by Isaac Asimov