"The Cold Equations" is a science fiction short story by Tom Godwin that explores the harsh realities of space travel. The plot centers on a pilot named Bartlett who discovers a stowaway girl, Marilyn, aboard his emergency supply ship. The ship is designed to carry only a specific weight, and the extra weight of the girl jeopardizes the mission to deliver vital supplies to a distant colony. As the story unfolds, Bartlett faces a moral dilemma. He must decide whether to follow the cold, unyielding laws of physics, which dictate that the girl cannot survive the journey, or to find a way to save her. The narrative highlights themes of sacrifice, the value of human life, and the unforgiving nature of the universe.