The Book That Saved the Earth — Class 10 English
Footprints Without Feet · Chapter 9
Visual story
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Chapter summary
The story in steps
- The Historian tells how Martians once plan to invade Earth in the twenty-fifth century.
- Think-Tank sends Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota, and Sergeant Oop to explore a library on Earth.
- The Martians find books but cannot understand them and ask Think-Tank what the strange objects are.
- Think-Tank first guesses the books are sandwiches, then hats, and finally says they are communication devices.
- Reading nursery rhymes badly, Think-Tank imagines Earthlings are powerful and dangerous and fears an attack on Mars.
- He orders a quick retreat, and the Historian says a book of nursery rhymes saves the Earth.
Key ideas & terms
- Think-Tank
- The boastful Martian leader who misreads the book.
- Captain Omega
- The Martian officer sent to the Earth library.
- Noodle
- Think-Tank’s clever but cautious assistant.
- Nursery rhymes
- The book the Martians comically misinterpret.
- Satire
- The play’s mockery of arrogance and ignorance.
- The Historian
- The narrator who recounts the past invasion.
शब्दार्थ · Word meanings
- invasion
- entry by force to capture a place
- Historian
- person who studies and writes history
- expedition
- journey for a special purpose
- transparent
- clear enough to see through
- insignificant
- not important or meaningful
- consult
- ask for advice or information
- creche
- place where small children are cared for
- nursery rhymes
- short traditional poems for children
- cowardly
- showing fear; not brave
- retreat
- move back from danger
Extra questions & answers
Why had the Martians come to Earth?
Led by the arrogant Think-Tank, they planned to invade and conquer Earth, and sent a crew to investigate, landing in a library.
How did Think-Tank misinterpret the book of nursery rhymes?
He read the rhymes literally, taking them as proof that Earthlings were dangerous, powerful beings preparing to attack Mars.
How was the Earth saved?
Frightened by his own misreading of the nursery rhymes, the boastful Think-Tank ordered the Martians to retreat, abandoning the invasion.
What does the play satirise, and what does it celebrate?
It satirises arrogance and ignorance through Think-Tank, while celebrating the power and value of books.
In which century and setting is the play framed?
It is narrated in the twenty-fifth century by the Historian of the Museum of Ancient History, looking back at a Martian attempt to invade Earth.
Who is Think-Tank, and how does he see himself?
He is the proud, boastful leader of the Martians, who considers himself the most intelligent creature in the universe.
Where did the Martian crew land, and what did they find?
They landed in an Earth library and found a book of nursery rhymes, which they were unable to understand.
How did Think-Tank misread the rhyme about “Mistress Mary”?
He took the verse about a garden literally, as proof that Earthlings were dangerous beings growing weapons and preparing to attack Mars.
What role does Noodle play in the play?
Noodle is Think-Tank’s cautious assistant, who gently hints at the truth but lets the boastful leader keep his pride.
What is the play’s message about books and arrogance?
It mocks arrogance and ignorance through Think-Tank while showing that even a humble book of nursery rhymes — and the value of books — can save the Earth.
READ AND FIND OUT
• Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?
The twentieth century was called the ‘Era of the Book’ because books were widely used for almost every purpose. They provided information, education, instructions and entertainment, and they covered subjects ranging from animals and peoples to practical questions of how, when, where and why.
• Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?
The Martians, led by the Great and Mighty Think-Tank, tried to invade the Earth in the twenty-first century, in the year 2040.
READ AND FIND OUT
• What guesses are made by Think–Tank about the books found on earth?
Think-Tank first guesses that the books are sandwiches because they have two covers with pages between them. After learning that Earthlings do not eat them, he calls them communication sandwiches. He then assumes that people listen to them and finally concludes that they are meant for eye communication and contain a secret code.
Think about it
1. Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?
Noodle corrects Think-Tank very tactfully. Instead of directly saying that Think-Tank is wrong, he speaks humbly and presents each correction as an insignificant piece of information that has merely entered his mind. This allows Think-Tank to accept the idea and pretend that he had already thought of it, so his pride is not hurt.
2. If you were in Noodle’s place, how would you handle Think-Tank’s mistakes?
I would remain respectful but explain the facts clearly and calmly. I would support my correction with evidence, such as the surveyor films showing how Earthlings use books. I would avoid insulting Think-Tank, but I would also make sure that his mistakes did not lead to harmful decisions.
3. Do you think books are being replaced by the electronic media? Can we do away with books altogether?
Electronic media is replacing books in some situations because digital material is easy to search, store and carry. However, books cannot be discarded altogether. Printed books do not require electricity or a device, are comfortable for sustained reading and remain valuable for learning, reflection and the preservation of knowledge. Electronic and printed media can exist together.
4. Why are books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which is your favourite book and why? Write a paragraph about that book.
Books are called a person’s best companion because they offer knowledge, comfort, guidance and entertainment without demanding anything in return. My favourite book is The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. It records the thoughts and experiences of a young girl living in hiding during a difficult period of history. I admire Anne’s honesty, courage and hopefulness. Her diary helps readers understand both the cruelty of war and the strength of the human spirit.
Talk about it
1. In what ways does Think-Tank misinterpret innocent nursery rhymes as threats to the Martians? Can you think of any incidents where you misinterpreted a word or an action? How did you resolve the misunderstanding?
Think-Tank interprets the nursery rhymes literally. He believes that Earthlings can grow silver and explosives because the first rhyme mentions silver bells and cockle shells in a garden. From the rhyme about the cow jumping over the moon, he concludes that Earthlings have trained animals in music and space travel. When he sees Humpty Dumpty, whose large round head resembles his own, he assumes that Earthlings know about him and plan to capture Mars. Once, I misunderstood a friend’s brief message as an angry reply because it contained no explanation. I resolved the misunderstanding by speaking to the friend directly and learning that the message had been written hurriedly and was not meant to be rude.
2. The aliens in this play speak English. Do you think this is their language? What could be the language of the aliens?
English is probably used in the play so that the audience can understand the Martians; it need not be their actual language. The aliens might have a completely different Martian language made up of unfamiliar sounds, symbols, gestures or even signals transmitted directly from one mind to another. The play presents their speech in English as a dramatic convenience.