One of the greatest science fiction short storys ever written. By Isaac Asimov. It is about a fictional planet, Kalgash, that orbits a mutliple star system. Since there are several Suns, the people have never known what darkness is. But once in many thousands of years, the suns align and there is total darkness on the dark side of the planet. I thought I'd share with my friends here.
Here is a brief plot outline from Wikipedia:
Since the population of Kalgash has never experienced universal darkness, the scientists conclude that the darkness itself would traumatize the people and that the inhabitants of the planet would need to prepare accordingly. When nightfall occurs, however, the scientists—who have prepared themselves for darkness—and the rest of the planet are most surprised by the sight of previously-invisible stars outside the six-star system filling the sky. Civil disorder breaks out; cities are destroyed in massive fires and civilization—as previously known—collapses
Ralph Waldo Emerson: If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God!
Here is the link.
BTS