<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

"It's Great to Be Back!" is a science fiction short story, written by Robert A. Heinlein, and first published in the July 26, 1947 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. It is included in Heinlein's 1951 collection The Green Hills of Earth and his 1967 Future History omnibus The Past Through Tomorrow.

Spoiler Warning: Plot details and/or information about the ending follow. If you wish to enjoy the work first, stop reading here and return at another time.

Allan and Josephine MacRae, after three years of living in Luna City, in the Moon, have grown tired of the cramped life there, and wish to return to the wide open spaces of Earth. They resign their jobs, visit Miss Stone, the chief of operations, and tell her they are turning in the lease on their apartment, and will be leaving by rocket to Earth. It'll be great to be back home, both enthuse.

On Earth, the MacRaes can barely function under the greater gravity, they find that the cities are full of smog, both develop colds, and are generally sick all of the time. Their "dirt-side" friends call them "Lunatics," and joke constantly at their expense. The MacRaes rent a residence in the country, but it does little to alleviate their general malaise. Soon they are complaining about Earth more than they complained about the Moon. After three months, they decide to return to Luna City, and call to inquire if they will be welcome.

Miss Stone informs them that she knew they would be back, and did not rent out their old apartment. Allan is assured he will get his job as a chemist back, and Jo happily accepts a junior position in her old accounting firm.

It'll be great to be back home, both enthuse as they prepare to blast off for the Moon.