The Fallible Fiend

The Fallible Friend

The protagonist, Zdim, is an indentured servant, some reptilian traits, who engages in something akin to rule-book slowdown. It may be somewhat of a stretch but there is some similarity with Till Eulenspiegel. The latter did usually impersonates a traveling journeyman when he arrived in a new township. He then interprets selective instructions in a literal, counter productive sense. Better known example, he bakes meerkats and owls when his tired master tells him to use his own head. Zdim is spirited to an earth type planet by the time honored pentagram method. He is part of an labor against raw materials exchange program. His first act of revolt, he devours Doctor Maldivius' apprentice, hide, hair and xenophobic attitude, when the honorable doctor orders him to deal with any intruder as he deems fit. The next time he has to stand guard he has to promise strict abstinence. Result, he does not budge a claw when some actual burglars show up. From one extreme (anthropophagi) to the other (no coercive measures at all). In a rather broad sense he pleads a 'non vult' in each case. Good intentions regardless of some possible misunderstandings.

Synopsis from Open Library.