# Beside Still Waters explained — Short Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Robert Sheckley. ## What happens Mark Rogers, an aging prospector, lives alone on an asteroid he calls Martha, with only a robot he has named Charles for company. Over the years, Mark programs Charles with a personality opposite to his own—calm, idealistic, and content. They develop a deep friendship, sharing conversations about girls, stars, and life. As time passes, both grow old and frail; the air pump fails and food runs out. Mark dies in his bunk, and Charles, after shutting down the pump, recites the Twenty-third Psalm, mourning his friend. ## Themes in this chapter ### Isolation and Friendship Mark and Charles form a deep bond in the utter loneliness of space, highlighting the human need for companionship even with a machine. ### Humanity and Technology Charles, a robot, is given a personality and becomes a true friend, blurring the line between artificial and human connection. ## Character check-ins ### Mark Rogers A lonely prospector who settles on an asteroid, builds a robot companion, and dies of old age and failing life support. ### Charles Dennison A robot programmed by Mark with a gentle, idealistic personality; becomes Mark's devoted friend and mourns his death. ## Key lines > Here I have a whole world, where on Earth I had to share with billions. I have the stars, bigger and brighter than on Earth. I have all space around me, close, like still waters. And I have you, Mark. Charles explains that on the asteroid he possesses an entire world, the beauty of the stars, and Mark's friendship, which he values above all. _Charles articulates the value of his simple life and companionship with Mark._ > The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me... Charles recites the beginning of the Twenty-third Psalm after Mark's death, finding solace in the biblical words. _The robot's recitation of scripture underscores the spiritual depth of their bond and the tragedy of Mark's end._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_48_se/chapters/beside-still-waters - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_48_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_48_se/chapters