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    9. The Book That Saved The Earth - Class 10 - Footprints

    Updated: Jun 8

    Author: Claire Boiko Genre: Science Fiction / Play (Drama) Textbook: Footprints Without Feet – Lesson 9

    Mind Map (Click on the panel to expand)

    Listen to a quick Hindi audio summary below for better understanding.

    📝 Summary

    The story is set in the 25th century and is presented as a drama. It describes how a simple children’s book titled Mother Goose unexpectedly saves Earth from an alien invasion by Martians.

    The play begins in a Museum of Ancient History on planet Earth, where a historian describes a remarkable event that occurred in the 21st century. The Martians, led by the proud commander Think-Tank, plan to invade Earth. Think-Tank believes Earth is a primitive planet and underestimates its intelligence.

    When Martian probes land in a library, they find books—an unfamiliar object to them. Mistakenly, Think-Tank assumes that the books are food. Later, with help from Omega and other crew members, they attempt to “read” the books. The book they focus on is Mother Goose, a collection of humorous rhymes.

    Interpreting the rhymes literally, Think-Tank believes Earth has advanced knowledge and dangerous weapons. Fearing Earth's power, Think-Tank cancels the invasion and flees. Thus, the silly rhymes in a children’s book unknowingly save Earth.

    👤 Character Sketches

    Think-Tank

    • Ruler of Mars

    • Arrogant, boastful, and full of self-importance

    • Thinks Earthlings are unintelligent

    • Misinterprets Mother Goose rhymes as scientific codes

    • Comically insecure, retreats in fear

    Noodle

    • Think-Tank’s assistant

    • Polite, humble, and wise

    • Makes clever suggestions tactfully

    • Symbol of quiet intelligence

    Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota, and Sergeant Oop

    • Members of Martian crew

    • Loyal, obedient, and somewhat gullible

    • Struggle to understand books and Earth’s customs

    • Provide comic relief through misinterpretations

    📚 Themes

    Theme

    Explanation

    Miscommunication

    The Martians misunderstand the book’s content, leading to comic confusion.

    Power of Literature

    A simple book prevents a war, showing that books can be powerful.

    Satire on Arrogance

    Think-Tank’s ego leads to fear and retreat.

    Fear of the Unknown

    The Martians fear Earth because of their own ignorance.

    Humour and Irony

    Serious matters like invasion are treated with playful absurdity.

    ✨ Literary Devices

    Device

    Example / Role

    Irony

    A children's rhyme book scares off Martians.

    Satire

    The story mocks arrogance and blind authority.

    Parody

    Uses science fiction tropes in a humorous way.

    Allusion

    References to Mother Goose rhymes.

    Dialogue & Stage Directions

    Drive the drama and create a visual scene.

    📖 Title Justification

    The title The Book That Saved the Earth is appropriate and ironic. A simple, humorous children’s book (Mother Goose) unexpectedly becomes the reason Martians retreat. The title emphasizes that sometimes unexpected things—like stories or knowledge—can be powerful tools for peace and safety.

    ✅ One-Mark Questions (Q&A Format)

    Q1. Who was Think-Tank? 👉 Think-Tank was the proud and arrogant ruler of Mars who planned to invade Earth.

    Q2. Where did the Martian crew land on Earth? 👉 The Martian crew landed in a library on Earth.

    Q3. What did Think-Tank initially believe books were? 👉 Think-Tank believed that books were sandwiches or some kind of food.

    Q4. What book did the Martians try to interpret? 👉 The Martians tried to interpret the children’s rhyme book Mother Goose.

    Q5. Why did Think-Tank cancel the invasion of Earth? 👉 He misinterpreted the rhymes as signs of Earth’s advanced weaponry and feared being attacked.

    ✅ Three-Mark Questions

    Q1. Why is Think-Tank considered a humorous character? 👉 Think-Tank is humorous because he is full of pride but often wrong. His silly interpretations of books and panic over harmless rhymes make him a comic figure.

    Q2. How did Mother Goose save Earth from a Martian invasion? 👉 The Martians misunderstood the book's rhymes as dangerous military codes. Think-Tank, afraid of Earth’s "intelligence," decided to cancel the invasion and retreat.

    Q3. What does the story teach us about judging others? 👉 It teaches that arrogance and assumptions can lead to fear and failure. Think-Tank’s poor judgment highlights the importance of understanding and humility.

    🧠 Value-Based Question

    Q. What message does The Book That Saved the Earth convey about knowledge and literature? 👉 The story shows that books and knowledge can be more powerful than weapons. Even a simple storybook can have a big impact. It reminds us that intelligence, curiosity, and communication can solve conflicts better than aggression.


    END


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