http://www.maryrobinettek…l-robot-monkey/
This Hugo nominated short story is so short that you can read the whole thing in 4 minutes flat. And I encourage you to do so
Evil Robot Monkey
by Mary Robinette Kowal
Sliding his hands over the clay, Sly relished the moisture oozing around his fingers. The clay matted down the hair on the back of his hands making them look almost human. He turned the potter’s wheel with his prehensile feet as he shaped the vase. Pinching the clay between his fingers he lifted the wall of the vase, spinning it higher.
Someone banged on the window of his pen. Sly jumped and then screamed as the vase collapsed under its own weight. He spun and hurled it at the picture window like feces. The clay spattered against the Plexiglas, sliding down the window.
Readers of David Brin’s work will already be familiar with the idea of ‘uplift’ but if not then this elegant short story summarizes it succinctly.
