‘रचना-प्रयोग’ का मुख्य उद्देश्य क्या है?

व्याकरण का व्यावहारिक प्रयोग सिखाना

‘द्वितीयः’ किस प्रकार की संख्या है?

क्रमवाचक (दूसरा)

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.

The Book That Saved the Earth

Class 10 English · Footprints Without Feet · Chapter 9

Visual story

Watch as story

Tap a card to open it full-screen — swipe through like a story.

CBSE Class 10 Board Examination community

View all

English

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

First Flight
Footprints without Feet

~7 pages per kitPage 1 free

Get both kits · ₹69

All available subjects

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

TrendingStart now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

Mathematics
Science
+ 10 more

~7 pages per kitPage 1 free

Get all 12 kits · ₹299

English · First Flight

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

19 texts summarised
Poetic devices
Writing formats

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹39

English · Footprints without Feet

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

9 stories
Character sketches
Board questions

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹39

Social Science

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

History
Economics
+ 2 more

~7 pages per kitPage 1 free

Get all 4 kits · ₹69

Mathematics (Standard and Basic)

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

70+ formulas and theorems
Board-paper chapter counts
24 traps corrected

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹69

Science

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

TrendingStart now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

Equations and formulas
Book tables as charts
Traps corrected

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹69

Social Science: History

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

Timelines
Map list
Traps corrected

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹39

Social Science: Geography

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

TrendingStart now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

Full map list
Crop and mineral tables
Traps corrected

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹39

Social Science: Political Science

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

Case studies
Census tables
Traps corrected

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹39

Social Science: Economics

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

Book data as charts
Answer frames
18 traps corrected

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹39

Hindi A · Kshitij 2 + Kritika 2

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

15 पाठ
व्याकरण
लेखन प्रारूप

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹69

Computer Applications 2027

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

HTML & CSS examples
Protocol tables
Cyber ethics

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹69

Hindi B · Sparsh 2 + Sanchayan 2

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

17 पाठ
व्याकरण
लेखन प्रारूप

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹69

Sanskrit · Shemushi 2 + Vyakaranavithi + Abhyaswaan Bhav

~50days leftPre-boards · school dates varyDec 2026 · school-specific · tentative

Start now for December pre-boards. Reuse it for boards.

9 पाठ
सन्धि-समास
प्रत्यय

Only 7 pagesPage 1 free

Get the kit · ₹69

Browse all 15 kits →

The story in short

Written by Claire Boiko, this humorous science-fiction play is set in the twenty-fifth century and looks back at a Martian invasion of Earth that was prevented in a most unusual way. The play, narrated by the Historian from the Museum of Ancient History, shows a group of Martians led by the proud Think-Tank, who considers himself the most intelligent creature in the universe. The Martians, planning to invade Earth, send Captain Omega and his crew to a library, where they find a book of nursery rhymes. Unable to understand it, they consult Think-Tank, who comically misinterprets the rhymes — taking “Mistress Mary” and other verses as evidence that Earthlings are powerful, fearsome beings preparing to attack Mars. Terrified by his own misreadings, the boastful Think-Tank orders an immediate retreat, and the invasion is abandoned. Thus a humble book of nursery rhymes saves the Earth. The play gently satirises arrogance and ignorance while celebrating the power and value of books.

The story in 6 beats

1The Historian tells how Martians once plan to invade Earth in the twenty-fifth century.
2Think-Tank sends Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota, and Sergeant Oop to explore a library on Earth.
3The Martians find books but cannot understand them and ask Think-Tank what the strange objects are.
4Think-Tank first guesses the books are sandwiches, then hats, and finally says they are communication devices.
5Reading nursery rhymes badly, Think-Tank imagines Earthlings are powerful and dangerous and fears an attack on Mars.
6He orders a quick retreat, and the Historian says a book of nursery rhymes saves the Earth.

Science fiction and humourArrogance and ignoranceThe power of booksMisinterpretation for comic effectSatire of pride

Characters & key ideas

Think-TankThe boastful Martian leader who misreads the book.

Captain OmegaThe Martian officer sent to the Earth library.

NoodleThink-Tank’s clever but cautious assistant.

Nursery rhymesThe book the Martians comically misinterpret.

SatireThe play’s mockery of arrogance and ignorance.

The HistorianThe narrator who recounts the past invasion.

Word meanings · शब्दार्थ

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 (board-style)

READ AND FIND OUT

Think about it

Talk about it

Try one from this chapter

In what century is the play mainly set in its narration?

Flashcards & interactive practice

The Book That Saved the Earth

Visual story

CBSE Class 10 Board Examination community

The story in short

The story in 6 beats

Characters & key ideas

Word meanings · शब्दार्थ

Extra questions & answers (board-style)

READ AND FIND OUT

READ AND FIND OUT

Think about it

Talk about it

Practice quiz · The Book That Saved the Earth

Data & insights