"The Veldt" is a science fiction short story by American author Ray Bradbury, first published in 1950 in The Saturday Evening Post. It later appeared as the first story in his collection "The Illustrated Man" in 1951. Set in a technologically advanced future, the narrative centers on a family living in a fully automated house, with a virtual reality nursery that materializes the children's thoughts into reality. The story explores themes of technology's impact on family dynamics and the potential consequences of relying too heavily on machines. Known for its poignant critique of modern conveniences and the loss of interpersonal connections, "The Veldt" remains a classic study of human alienation and technological dependency.