The Fire Balloons Summary

The Very Reverend Father Joseph Daniel Peregrine is concerned about a trip to Mars he'll take with other Episcopal Fathers. He questions whether sin will have new and different meanings on different worlds. Father Stone says that sin would be clear to him on any world, but Father Peregrine explains that with new human abilities or senses, there are new potential sins. The bishop chose Father Peregrine to lead the mission because he feels Peregrine can deal with the unexpected. Father Stone is the second in command.

When they arrive, Father Peregrine asks the mayor of First Town about the Martians so that he can plan the church for them. There are two races of Martians, one that has almost died out and the other that are potentially intelligent balls of light that live in the hills. Father Peregrine...