As prophecy the story falls flat on its silly face-any tenderfoot Scout can pick it to pieces- but I think it is still entertaining as a story, else it would not be here; I have a business reputation to protect and wish to continue making money.
The purpose of the ceremony may not have been clear to him-if so, he was not the first tenderfoot Scout to be a little confused.
But any tenderfoot Scout knows the basic facts and a fellow bitten by the space bug (such as myself) usually knows a number of figures.