Birthright

“Yes, there is,” said Consuela. “Look around you, Mr. Tanayoka, and tell me what you see.”

“The mountains.”

“And what did the miners do to the mountains when they were through mining?” “Nothing,” said Tanayoka.

“You still don't see it, do you?” said Consuela with a smile."They restored them." “Of course they did,” said Tanayoka. “Surely you're not implying that...” “Indeed I am,” said Consuela. “It's the only other thing they did that they had not been doing for the thirty weeks that the aliens left them alone.” “But why should putting the land back the way we found it drive them into a frenzy? It doesn't make any sense.”

“Not to you and me,” said Consuela. “But it must make a lot of sense to an inhabitant of Beelzebub.” “It's the stupidest thing I ever heard of!” said Tanayoka, throwing up his hands in frustration. “No, but it's probably the most alien thing you've ever heard of,” said Consuela. “You must remember not to think of aliens as good or bad, smart or stupid. The only word that properly defines them is different."

“But why would they object to our restoring the mountains?” persisted Tanayoka. “I have absolutely no idea,” said Consuela “Can any race that reacts like that possibly be sentient?” “I don't know,” replied Consuela “And to be perfectly frank about it, at this moment I couldn't possibly care less.”

“But—”

“Please let me continue, Mr. Tanayoka. You brought me here to solve your problem. While there is always the possibility of error, I believe that I have solved it. But you must understand that the members of my profession are neither magicians nor omnipotent. It may take years or decades or even centuries to understand why they don't mind having their land ripped to shreds but are enraged at its restoration, and it may take even longer to determine whether they are truly sentient beings. Psychology is hardly an exact science. But I think I have discovered how to guarantee your miners’ safety, and I trust I have bought the aliens enough time for future psychologists to answer all your questions about them. And now,” she concluded, “if you no longer have need of my services, I'd like to return home.” Four months later Tanayoka paid her a visit. “You were right,” he said admiringly. “I don't think the miners or I really believed it, but it worked. When they finished the next three mountains they left them just as they were, and there were no incidents at all.”