THE BOOK THAT SAVES THE EARTH
~Summary~
Historian Talks about a Book that Saved Earth
by Claire Boiko
It is the twenty-fifth century. The scene is set at the Museum of Ancient History. The department is that of twentieth century. Historian tells the people that twentieth century was called the Era of the Book. There were books on everything. They covered all aspects of life. She tells that Martians (people of Mars) decided to invade Earth in 2040. Everyone was surprised to know that it was a book that saved the Earth. She turns on the projector and shows how it all happened.
Think Tank Orders the Invasion of Earth
The ruler of Mars, the Mighty Think Tank, is a proud creature whose head is full of himself. He calls Earth a ridiculous planet. He commands his trainee Noodle to call the space probe that is invading the Earth.
Space Probe Lands in Centerville Public Library
The space probe finds itself in a Centerville Public library. They are puzzled. They are not familiar with books. They do not understand what are those thousands of objects.
Guesses made by Martians about the Books
Sergeant Oop thinks that the books are hats. But Think Tank calls them sandwiches and orders the crew to eat them. The wise noodle gently suggests that they may be devices of communication. Think Tank asks the probe team to listen to them. They do not hear anything. Again, Noodle very politely suggests that earthlings watched them. They cannot read the books and come to a conclusion that the printed lines and pictures must be some kind of code.
Think-Tank Commands the Team to Take Vitamins
Think Tank asks the probe team to eat the vitamins given to them. They follow him and are able to read the book. The lines are about Mistress Mary and her garden of cockle shells and silver bells.
Mighty Think-tank is Alarmed
Think Tank thinks that the earthlings were very advanced. They grew shells and silver. They had taught animals culture and music. He thought they were about to send cows for an invasion to the moon. He is further terrified when he is sent the picture of the fallen Humpty-Dumpty. He thinks it to be his picture.
Think-Tank Calls Off the Invasion
He cancels the invasion. He asks his probe to leave. He orders his fleet to escape to the star Alpha Centauri and evacuate Mars. He wants to be as far away as possible from earthlings.
Martians and Earthlings are Friends in Twenty Fifth Century
The Historian reveals that it was 'Mother Goose', a book of rhymes, that saved the Earth. Anyway, Noodle succeeded Think Tank and became the head of Mars. Mars and Earth were now friends. Earthlings had even set up a library in their capital, Marsopolis. Funnily, however, Martians could never gather the courage to read the 'Mother Goose’ book.
Conclusion of The Book That Saved the Earth
In the chapter – The Book That Saved the Earth states how Mother Goose, which is a well-known English nursery rhymes book, saves Planet Earth from a Martian invasion. It teaches students that a person who thinks greatly of himself but has little knowledge can be dangerous.