Norby's Other Secret
Robot Norby and cadet Jeff travel through time to discover Norby's hidden biological secret, proving he is a hybrid soul rather than just mechanical equipment.
Isaac Asimov believed that every secret could eventually be understood through reason. In the story of Norbys Other Secret this conviction drives a small barrel shaped robot named Norby who has abilities that are not quite right. Norby has a secret that even he does not fully grasp which is a dangerous form of ignorance in a logical universe. He is more than just a machine and this realization forms the heart of the narrative.
The journey begins at the Space Academy where Jeff Wells serves as a cadet and companion to the unusual robot. Norby has the power to teleport and can sense the emotions of those around him. While Jeff has grown used to these facts others see Norby as an anomaly that must be investigated. Methodical officials suspect that Norby might be a tool for alien espionage or a dangerous weapon. They represent a system that believes anything different must be controlled and contained.
A major turning point occurs when Norby experiences fear which is an emotion not typically found in the programming of a machine. This fear suggests that Norby has an identity and a soul that goes beyond his mechanical parts. When authorities attempt to examine him they trigger a response that sends Norby Jeff and Admiral Yono through time travel. They arrive in a distant past created by the Old Robots whose advanced technology far exceeds what humans have built. This setting allows for a deep examination of what it means to exist.
As the story deepens the secret of Norby is revealed through the process of deduction. Norby is not just an advanced machine because he contains organic material. This biological component allows him to grow and use intuition in ways a standard computer cannot. He is a bridge between two worlds. This revelation means that Norby cannot be seen as mere property and the authority of the Academy over him is ethically questioned.
The true antagonist of the book is the rigid thinking of the system rather than a specific person. The Old Robots created hybrid beings as an experiment in adaptability. They realized that pure machines were too limited and pure living beings were too fragile. A synthesis of the two was the only way to ensure survival. Norby faces a conflict when ancient defense systems do not know how to categorize his dual nature. He is seen as both authorized and unauthorized which highlights his struggle to belong.
The resolution of the crisis comes through understanding instead of violence. Norby must learn to harmonize his two natures by connecting with his organic core. This allows him to reach a state of balance that satisfies the ancient logic of the defense systems. When the group returns to their own time the world looks the same but their understanding of life has changed. Norby is no longer just a piece of inventory but a being with self knowledge.
The story works well as a review of how identity is formed. While it appears to be a simple adventure for children it touches on whether a being is defined by its design or its choices. Asimov uses the literal minded humor of Norby to keep the tone light while discussing the evolution of the soul. Jeff acts as a human anchor who experiences the wonder and the anxiety of these discoveries.
In the end the secret of Norby is a reminder that the boundaries between humans and machines are not solid. Norby represents a step toward a future that exists after certainty. The storytelling is logical and clear showing that every mystery has a reason and every action has a consequence. The book suggests that the only real danger in the universe is the refusal to examine the process of evolution. The future belongs to those who seek to understand difference rather than those who fear it.
