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Extra Questions, Notes, Assignment and study material for Class 10th as Per Latest CBSE Syllabus
Chapter- 10 English Language and Literature- Footprints without feet
The Book That Saved The Earth Extra Questions and Answers
By– Claire Bothe
About the Author- Claire Bothe
Claire Bothe – A Short Biography
About the Author
Claire Boiko is a children’s book author and playwright. Her works include ‘Plays and Programs for Boys and Girls’, ‘The Cry Baby Princess’, ‘Dramatized Parodies of Familiar Stories’ and ‘Children Plays for Creative Actors.’
Introduction of the lesson- The Book That Saved the Earth
INTRODUCTION
This is a science fiction story set in the future. The main character, a historian, gives a talk about the twentieth century and tells her audience that in the twentieth century, people focused on reading more books rather than watching TV or using internet and computers. More importantly, one old child rhyme has saved Mars from an invasion by humans. Then in the future, they reached out to Mars and became friends.
(यह एक वैज्ञानिक कहानी है I यह काल्पनिक कहानी पच्चीसवीं शताब्दी में घटित घटना के आधार पर है I एक इतिहासकार श्रोताओं को बीसवीं सदी के बारे में भाषण दे रही है और उन्हें बता रही है कि बीसवीं सदी को प्रायः पुस्तकों के युग के नाम से जाना जाता था I तब वह पृथ्वी पर सन 2040 में मंगल ग्रह के लोगों के द्वारा किए गए आक्रमण के बारे में बात करती है, लेकिन, वास्तव में यह आक्रमण कभी नहीं हुआ था I वह कहती है कि नर्सरी कक्षा की कविताओं की एक पुरानी किताब ने दुनिया को मंगल ग्रहवासियों के आक्रमण से बचा लिया था I वह पच्चीसवीं शताब्दी में उनका मंगल ग्रह के साथ फिर-से संपर्क बना और वे मित्र बन गए I)
Theme of the Story
The play, “The Book That Saved the Earth,” is based on the theme that half-fed knowledge is dangerous. It also tells how a book of old rhymes saved the world from Martian invasion. The play is set in the 25th century, but Historian turns on the hysteroscope and brings us back to 20th century Earth 5 centuries ago. The play begins with Think-Tank, a great and mighty company comprised of people of Marks Central Control, debating about what to do about humanity’s dwindling numbers due control by humans themselves.
Think—Tank is the Commander—in—Chief and the rulers of Mars. He is praised and flattered as the most intelligent and powerful creature in the whole universe. But Think Tank gives ridiculous and fantastic interpretations of books. He calls them sandwiches. His misinterpretations of the rhymes of `Mother Goose’ belie all the tall claims. He is nothing more than an ignorant and haughty despot who relishes nothing but pure and simple, flattery and psychophancy. In the end, Think—Tanks stops the invasion on Earth and orders the complete evacuation of Mars.
Important Word-Meanings of difficult words from the lesson- The Book That Saved the Earth
WORD-MEANINGS
[PAGE 63] : Century = a period of 100 years (शताब्दी); museum = a place where ancient things are kept (संग्रहालय); planet = an astronomical body (ग्रह); projector = a device that projects (प्रोजैक्टर); easel = wooden stands to supports a picture (तस्वीर आदि बनाने का स्टैंड); bows = kneels (झुकना); curiosities = things of curiosity (अजीब वस्तुएँ); era = period (युग); anteaters = an animal (एक जानवर); Zulus = An African Tribe (एक अफ़्रीकी कबीला); illustrated = explained with pictures (तस्वीरों से समझाना); decorated = made beautiful (सजाना) I
[PAGE 64] : Martian = belonging to Mars (मंगल ग्रह के लोग); invasion= attack (आक्रमण); encyclopedia= a book of knowledge (विश्वकोश); tome= a book of knowledge (ग्रंथ); missiles = a weapon (प्रक्षेपास्त्र); historiscope = a device showing history (इतिहास दिखाने का यंत्र); folded = joined hands (हाथ जोड़ना); elaborate = detailed (विस्तृत); mighty =powerful (शक्तिशाली); salutation =greeting (अभिवादन); communication =talkingcontact (संचार संपर्क); manned = controlled by man (व्यक्ति द्वारा नियंत्रित); probe = search (योजना); ridiculous = ludicrous (हास्यास्पद); generous = kind-hearted (दयालु); insignificant = not important (तुच्छ) I
[PAGE 65] : Fantastically = in a strange way (अजीब ढंग से); intellectually = with intellect (बुद्दिमत्ता से); pause = stop (रुकना); smacking = slapping (थप्पड़ मारना); ugly = unattractive (भद्दा); earthling = people of the earth (धरती के लोग); primitive = ancient (प्राचीन); riffling = turning over a book’s pages (पुस्तक के पन्ने पलटना); crew = operating squad (कर्मी दल); enormous = very big (बहुत बड़ा); goggles = sunglasses (धूप का चश्मा); structure = construction (ढाँचा) I
[PAGE 66] : Microphone = sound amplifying device (माइक्रोफोन); location = situation (अवस्था/स्थान); shelter = protection (आश्रय); indicates = shows (दिखाना); figure it out = calculate (हिसाब लगाना); storage barn = store (स्टोर); clue = hint(निर्देश); galaxies = milky way (आकाशगंगा); haberdashery = a cloth shop (कपड़े की दुकान) I
[PAGE 67] : Elementary = basic (आधारभूत); undoubtedly = without doubt (निस्संदेह) ; crude = rough (अधिक अच्छा नहीं); refreshment stand = restaurant/eatery (चाय-पानी आदि का स्टैंड/दुकान); staple = standard (मुख्य); squints = look obliquely (भैंगापन); gulping = swallowing (निगल जाना) I
[PAGE 68] : Dubiously = doubtfully (संदेहात्मक ढंग से); glory = grandeur (शान); pantomimes = silent acting (मूक अभिनय); chewing= grinding with teeth (चबाना); terrible= horrible (भयानक); pound = pat forcefully (जोर से थपथपाना); delicious = tasty (स्वादिष्ट); trifling bit = a little (बहुत-कम); surveyor = observer (पर्यावलोकन); haughtily = proudly (गर्व से) I
[PAGE 69] : Marbles = bits of stone (पत्थर के टुकड़े); intently = keenly (तीव्रता से); whispering = speaking low (कानाफूसी करना); fright = fear (भय); frequency = radio wave (रेडियो तरंग); twirling = moving (हिलना); clarify = make clear (स्पष्ट करना); peers = looks (देखना)
[PAGE 70] : Squiggles = writes illegibly (अस्पष्ट लिखना); magnificent = beautiful (सुन्दर); brilliance = brightness (चमक); unfold = open (खुला); stiffly = tightly (जोर से/कसकर) I
[PAGE 71] : Pop = put into (डालना); gulp = swallow something fast (तेजी से निगलना); excellent = very fine (उत्तम); decipher = decode (मतलब समझना) ; frown = show anger (क्रोध करना); brightly = cheerfully (प्रसन्न होना); transcribe = translate (अनुवाद करना); contrary = on the other hand (इसके विपरीत); cockle = shell (घोंघा); row = line (पंक्ति); alarmed = fearful (भयभीत); levity = non-seriousness (चपलता); rare = very uncommon (दुर्लभ); explosives = things that explode (विस्फोटक); gravely = seriously (गंभीरता से) ; fiddle = violin (वायलिन) I
[PAGE 72] : Domesticated = belonging to family life (परिवार/घर सम्बन्धी); launching = starting (आरम्भ करना); interplanetary = between the planets (ग्रहों के बीच); notify = announce (घोषणा करना); screaming = crying (चिल्लाना); capsule = spaceship (अंतरिक्षयान); traces = signs (चिह्न); evacuate = clear off (खाली करना) I
[PAGE 73]: Chuckling = laughing lightly (हल्के-से हँसना); resumed = started again (फिर-से आरंभ करना) I
Summary in English- The Book That Saved the Earth
1.Introduction: The play is set in the twenty-fifth century. But Historian turns on the hysteroscope back. He shows a very important historical event that took place in the twentieth century. So all the actions in the play and characters are set in the 20th
2.Wintory of Martian Invasion: The play ‘The Book that Saved the Earth’ describes a great historical event of 2040. It describes the Martian invasion on the planet Earth, but an old book saved humanity from disaster. Surprisingly, an old book of rhymes named ‘Mother Goose’ was enough to save the event and it averted an invasion from Mars.
3. Great and Mightly Think—Tank:
Great and Mightly Think Tank was the Commander-in-Chief of Mars. He acted like a dictator, enjoyed being praised and flattered by everyone who was under him. He was called “the most powerful creature in the whole universe”. He was feared and obeyed. No one dared to disagree or argue with him. Disobedience of great and Mighty Think Tank was unimaginable. He ordered apprentice Noodle to make him talk to their manned space probe to the planet Earth. He looked into his magical minor and felt satisfied.
4. Think Tank makes wild guesses about books:
Captain Omega hasn’t had any trouble arriving on Earth, and they are now in a square place. Omega wants to know the exact location of their shelter so that they can continue the mission in the morning. Iota can’t tell them exactly, but she has a book. With no previous experience of books in their language, the Martians can only make guesses about the contents. Thinking-tank guesses a ridiculous definition for all of the books. He identifies books as sandwiches.
5. Books as Sandwiches: Think-Tank identifies that those peculiar items (books) are nothing but sandwiches which are the staple diet of the Earthlings. He identifies the library as a store of hay. To confirm his theory that those items (books) are actually sandwiches, he asks captain Omega to eat one of them. At last, Oop bites down on a corner of the book. He doesn’t find it delicious. Noodle intervenes and saves the situation. He tells that he has noticed through films that the Earthlings don’t eat those sandwiches. They are actually communication devices. Think-Tank orders Omega to listen to them. Omega takes a book and brings it close to his ears. But he hears nothing. Noodle again saves the situation. He discloses that the Earthlings don’t listen to sandwiches (books) but they open and watch them. Think-Tank gives his judgement. He declares that those sandwiches are not for ear communication. They are for eye communication. He orders captain Omega to observe a large colourful sandwich (book) and tell what he has observed.
6. Misinterpretation of Rhymes: Oop sees thousands of little lines and dots alongside the pictures on them. Think-Tank feels that the Earthlings are not as primitive as they have thought. He orders to find out the real meaning of the code language. Clever Noodle manages the situation. He suggests that their space people should be given vitamins to increase their intelligence. Vitamins are brought and everyone pops the vitamins into their mouth.
7. Rhymes of ‘Mistress Mary’: Think-Tank reads the rhyme that is spoken aloud. He declares that ‘Mistress Mary’ refers to Earthlings and their discovery of combining farming with mining. They are able to grow metals such as silver, and they interpret the term ‘cockleshells’ as explosive. The Earthlings can also grow high explosives.
8. Rhyme of ‘Hey Diddle Diddle!’: Then Iota reads the “Hey diddle!” Think Tank finds this rhyme more alarming. The Earthlings have reacted to a high level of civilisation. They have taught their domestic animal’s music culture and space techniques. They may be launching an interplanetary attack on million cows soon.
9. Rhyme of ‘Humpty Dumpty’: Opp shows Think-Tank a picture of Humpty Dumpty. He looks like Think Tank. Think-Tank suddenly screams. He declares that the Earthlings have seen him. They are after him. They plan to capture Mars Central Central Control and him. He orders Noodle to prepare a space capsule for him.
10.0rders for Evacuation of Mars: “Think-Tank” orders the people on Mars to leave the planet at once. He tells “Omega suddenly there is a shocking news,” that they will go one hundred million miles from Mars. He even orders the invasion fleet to evacuate the entire planet of Mars
11. A Book of Nursery Rhymes Saves the World: Historian chuckles that how one dusty old book of nursery rhymes ‘Mother Goose’ saves the world from a Martian invasion. Historian also informs that the wise and wonderful Noodle replaces great and mighty Think Tank. Friendly relations are resumed between the Earthlings and Martians. The people of Earth teach Martians the differences between sandwiches and books.
DETAILED SUMMARY (2)
This is a science fantasy. This imaginary story is set in the twenty-fifth century. The place is the Museum of Ancient History. Department of the Twentieth Century. There is a Historian sitting at a table. There is a movie projector on the table. She is giving a talk to the audience about the twentieth century. She tells the audience that the twentieth century was often called the Era of the Book. In those days, there were books about everything. They taught the people everything. But the strangest thing was that a book saved the Earth. She narrates a real story from the twenty-first century. She tells how the Martians (people from the planet Mars) invaded the earth and a book of nursery rhymes saved us from their attack.
The incident relates to the Martian invasion of 2040. In fact, the invasion never took place. A single book stopped it. It was not a noble encyclopedia or a book about rockets and missiles. It was a book of nursery rhymes. Then the Historian shows the audience the happenings that actually took place. These have been recorded in a film. She turns on the projector. It shows the Mars Space Control room. We see Think-Tank who is the commander-in-chief. He has a huge, egg-shaped head. He wears a long robe decorated with stars and circles. His deputy, Noodle stands beside him at a switchboard.
Think-Tank has already sent a manned spacecraft to the Earth. Their purpose is to collect information about the earth’s defence system and send it back to the other spacecraft from Mars who are ready to attack the earth before lunch.
Think-Tank asks Noodle to place him in communication with their manned space probe to the Planet Earth. Think-Tank says they are soon going to take it over. Noodle establishes his contact with the Mars Space Control. Captain Omega and his deputies are in a library. They came on the earth in order to gather secrets of the earth defiance. They have landed in a library. They have seen the books and the library for the first time. Think-Tank talks to Captain Omega who tells him that they have arrived on Earth without incident.
As they have never seen a library before, they are not sure where they are. However, Lt. Iota tells Think-Tank that there are about two thousand peculiar items (books). She thinks that the place must be some storage barn. Sergeant Oop also says that he has never before seen anything like those things. He calls them ‘hats’. Omega asks for Think-Tank’s advice. Through his remote camera, Think-Tank looks at the ‘books’. He calls them ‘eatables’ and they are in a refreshment stand. He says that what they have in their hands are ‘sandwiches’. They are the main food of Earth diet. Think-Tank orders Omega to cat it (book) to confirm. Omega asks Lt. Iota to eat it. Iota orders Sergeant Oop to eat it. Oop bites a corner of the book. He pretends to chew and swallow and tells Think-Tank that it is delicious.
After sometime Noodle informs Think-Tank that a bit of data floated into his mind. Now he has found that the people of the earth do not eat them. But they use them as communication devices. Think-Tank also believes what he tells him. He orders Omega to listen to them (books). He puts a book to his ears and tries hard to listen. Think-Tank asks Omega if he can listen to something from them. Omega replies that they may not be on the correct frequency. Think-Tank says that the Earthlings have sharper ears. Noodle says that he has a piece of information in his mind. The people of the Earth opened them and watched them. Now Think-Tank says that those ‘sandwiches’ are for eye communication. He asks Captain Omega to take three ‘sandwiches’ and tell him what he sees in them.
Omega looks at the books and tells Think-Tank that they have pictures of Earthlings. They have some sort of code, lines and dots with pictures. He asks him to study the pictures and decipher the code in them. The book that Omega is looking at is a nursery rhyme book. He reads the nursery rhyme ‘Mistress Mary …’ Think-Tank wonders how the Earthlings have combined agriculture and mining. They also grow explosives. He feels that the people of the earth are very intelligent and brave. Noodle says that the invasion spacecraft are ready to attack the earth. But Think-Tank asks Noodle to tell the invasion fleet to hold. New information has come to him. Think-Tank asks Iota to transcribe the information. She reads the nursery rhyme ‘Hey diddle …. spoon’. Think-Tank feels alarmed. He thinks that the Earthlings have reached a higher level of civilisation. They have taught their domesticated animal’s music and space techniqUes. They may be launching an interplanetary attack of millions of cows. He asks him to notify the invasion fleet that there will be no invasion that day.
Then Oop reads the nursery rhyme ‘Humpty Dumpty … again’. He shows the picture of Humpty Dumpty also. The picture resembles Think-Tank. He is scared. He says that the Earthlings have seen him. They are planning to capture Mars Central Control and him. He decides to run away from Mars. He orders Noodle to prepare a space capsule for him. He must escape without delay. The Earthlings are coming to capture Mars. Noodle asks Think-Tank where they shall go. Think-Tank replies they will go to the planet Alpha-Centauri. a hundred million miles away.
After showing this film, the Historian says that one old book of nursery rhymes saved the world from a Martian invasion. Then in the twenty-fifth century, they resumed contact with Mars. They became friends. Think-Tank was replaced by Noodle. They taught the Martians the difference between books and sandwiches. They established a model library on Mars. But they can never read one book. It is Mother Goose.
Main Points of the Story
1. The story is set in the twentieth century, five centuries ago.
2. Historiscope takes us back to 2040.
3. Great Mighty Think-Tank is the Commander-in-Chief and the ruler of Mars.
4. Apprentice Noodle, Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota and Sergeant Oop are with him in Mars Central Control.
5. Think-Tank calls Martians a handsome race and they are more attractive than the ugly Earthlings.
6. Think-Tank wants to invade that ‘primitive ball of mud’ known as Earth before lunch.
7. Oop doesn’t recognize the objects in the scene. A few characters are trying to guess at what they might be, with Oop (by default) guessing that they’re hats.
8. Think-Tank closely examines those books. He holds one of them in his hand.
9. Think-Tank calls it (a book) a sandwich. Sandwiches are the main staple diet of the Earthlings.
10. To confirm his opinion, Think-Tank orders Captain Omega to eat an item (a book), a sandwich.
11. At last, Oop tastes it and finds it not delicious.
12. In the surveyor films on Earthling, Noodle sees that sandwiches are used as a communication device.
13. Think-Tank agrees and orders Omega to listen to them.
14. When captain Omega fails to hear anything, Noodle makes another suggestion.
15. He reveals that the Earthlings don’t listen to the sandwiches (books) and instead watch them.
16. Then, Think-Tank declares that those sandwiches are not for ear communication. They are for eye-communication.
17. Omega picks a large volume ‘Mother Goose’ which contains pictures of Earthlings.
18. When no one is able to know the meanings of the lines, dots and pictures, Doodle suggests that space people should be given vitamins to improve their intelligence.
19. All of them swallow vitamins down their mouth.
20. Omega interprets the rhyme of ‘Mistress Mary’ in its own way, while Think-Tank does the same.
21. Think-Tank declares that the ‘Mistress Mary’ rhyme tells that Earthlings have discovered how to combine agriculture and mining. They can grow crops of rare metals. They can grow high explosives too.
22. Then Iota reads out the rhyme of ‘Hey diddle!”
23. Think-Tank interprets the rhyme saying that the Earthlings have reached a high level of civilisation. Even dogs have a sense of humour. They may be launching an interplanetary invasion.
24. Think-Tank orders to notify the invasion fleet that there will be no invasion today.
25. Then the rhyme of ‘Humpty Dumpty had a great fall’ is read.
26. Think-Tank declares after looking at the pictures of Humpty-Dumpty that the Earthlings have seen him. The words ‘Had a great fall’ mean that they plan to capture Mars Central Control and him.
27. He asks Noodle to prepare a space capsule for him to escape.
28. He orders the evacuation of Mars at once. They will go to a new place a hundred million miles away from Mars-Alpha Centauri.
29. Historian tells how one dusty old book of nursery rhymes ‘Mother Goose’, saved the world from a Martians invasion.
30. Great and Mighty Think-Tank was replaced by the wise and wonderful man, Noodle.
31. The Earthlings taught the Martians the difference between sandwiches and books.
Summary in Hindi – The Book That Saved the Earth- Full Text
SUMMARY IN HINDI
यह एक वैज्ञानिक कहानी है I यह काल्पनिक कहानी पच्चीसवीं शताब्दी में आधारित की गई है I इसका स्थान है प्राचीन इतिहास का संग्रहालय, बीसवीं शताब्दी का विभाग I एक मेज पर एक इतिहासकार बैठी है I मेज पर एक मूवी प्रोजैक्टर है I वह श्रोताओं को बीसवीं शताब्दी के बारे में एक भाषण देने जा रही है I वह श्रोताओं को बताती है कि बीसवीं शताब्दी को अक्सर किताबों का युग कहा जाता था I उन दिनों में हर चीज के बारे में किताबें होती थीं I यह किताबें लोगों को हर बात सिखाती थी I मगर सबसे अजीब बात यह थी कि एक किताब ने धरती को बचाया I वह इक्कीसवीं शताब्दी की एक कहानी बताती है I वह बताती है कि किस प्रकार मंगल ग्रह के लोगों ने पृथ्वी पर आक्रमण किया और नर्सरी की कविताओं की पुस्तक ने उन्हें आक्रमण से बचा लिया I
यह घटना 2040 ई0 में मंगल ग्रह द्वारा आक्रमण के बारे में है I वास्तव में, वह आक्रमण कभी नहीं हुआ I एक किताब ने उसे रोक दिया I यह कोई विश्वकोश नहीं था I या रॉकेटो या प्रक्षेपास्रों के बारे में किताब नहीं थी I यह तो नर्सरी की कविताओं की किताब थी I तब इतिहासकार श्रोताओं को वे घटनाएँ दिखाती है जो वास्तव में हुई I इन्हें एक फिल्म में रिकॉर्ड किया गया है वह प्रोजेक्टर को शुरू करती है यह मंगल ग्रह की अंतरिक्ष नियंत्रण कक्ष को दिखाती हैं I हम थिंक-टैंक को देखते हैं जोकि कमांडर-इन-चीफ है I उसका सिर बहुत बड़ा और अंडे के आकार का है I उसने एक लंबा चोगा पहना हुआ है जो सितारों और दायरों से सुसज्जित है I उसका प्रशिक्षु नूडल उसके पास एक स्विचबोर्ड के पास खड़ा है I
थिंक-टैंक ने पहले से ही धरती पर एक मानव-नियंत्रित अंतरिक्षयान भेज दिया है I उनका उद्देश्य धरती की बचाव-प्रणाली का अध्ययन करना है और उसे मंगल से आने वाले अंतरिक्षयानों तक भेजना है जो दोपहर के भोजन से पहले धरती पर आक्रमण करने के लिए तैयार हैं I
थिंक-टैंक नूडल से कहता है कि वह उनका संपर्क धरती पर भेजे गए मानव नियंत्रित स्पेस प्रोब से करवाए I थिंक-टैंक कहता है कि शीघ्र ही धरती को काबू करने वाले है I नूडल उसका संपर्क मंगल की अंतरिक्ष नियंत्रण से करवाता है I कैप्टन ओमेगा और उसके सहायक एक पुस्तकालय में है I वे धरती पर धरती के बचाव के रहस्य जानने आए हैं I वे एक पुस्तकालय में पहुँच गए हैं I उन्होंने पुस्तकालय और किताबों पहली बार देखी है I थिंक-टैंक कैप्टन ओमेगा से बात करता है जो उसे बताता है कि वे धरती पर बिना किसी दुर्घटना के पहुँच गए हैं I
क्योंकि उन्होंने पहले कभी पुस्तकालय नहीं देखा है, इसलिए उन्हें यह बात पता नहीं है कि कहाँ पर हैं I लेकिन लेफ्टिनेंट अयोटा थिंक-टैंक को बताती है कि इन अजीब वस्तुओं (किताबों) की संख्या लगभग दो हजार है I उसका विचार है कि वह स्थान अवश्य ही कोई स्टोर होगा I सार्जेंट ऊप भी कहता है कि उसने पहले कभी ऐसी चीज नहीं देखी I वह उन्हें ‘हैट’ कहता है I ओमेगा थिंक-टैंक की सलाह माँगता है I अपने रिमोट कंट्रोल कैमरे से थिंक-टैंक किताबों को देखता है I वह उन्हें खाने की वस्तुएँ कहता है और कहता है कि वे किसी रेस्तरां में हैं I वह कहता है कि जो चीजें उनके हाथों में है वे सैंडविच हैं I वे धरती के लोगों की खुराक का मुख्य भोजन है I यह निश्चित करने के लिए थिंक-टैंक ओमेगा को आदेश देता है कि वह इसे (किताब) खाए I ओमेगा लेफ्टिनेंट आयोटा को इसे खाने को कहता है I आयोटा सार्जेंट ऊप को इसे खाने का आदेश देती है I ऊप किताब का कोना खा जाता है वह इसे चबाने और निकलने का नाटक करता है और थिंक-टैंक को बताता है कि यह स्वादिष्ट है I
कुछ देर के बाद नूडल थिंक-टैंक को बताता है कि कुछ आंकड़े उसके दिमाग में तैर कर आए हैं I अब उसे पता लग गया है कि धरती के निवासी इन्हें खाते नहीं है I मगर वे इन्हें संचार के तरीकों के लिए प्रयोग करते हैं I थिंक-टैंक इस बात पर विश्वास कर लेता है वह ओमेगा को आदेश देता है कि वह इन्हें (किताबों को) सुने I वह एक किताब को कानों से लगाता है और सुनने की पूरी कोशिश करता है I थिंक-टैंक ओमेगा से पूछता है कि क्या वह उसमें से कुछ सुन सकता है I ओमेगा उत्तर देता है कि शायद उचित फ्रीक्वेंसी पर नहीं हैं I थिंक-टैंक कहता है कि धरती के निवासियों के कान अधिक तेज हैं I नूडल कहता है कि उसके दिमाग में सूचना का कुछ अंश है I धरती के लोग इन्हें खोलते और देखते हैं I अब थिंक-टैंक कहता है कि वे ‘सैंडविच’ आंखों के संचार के लिए हैं I वह कैप्टन अमोगा से कहता है कि वह तीन ‘सैंडविच’ ले और उनमें देखे I
ओमेगा उन पुस्तकों को देखता है और थिंक-टैंक से कहता है कि इनमें धरती के लोगों की तस्वीरें हैं I उनमें कुछ प्रकार के संकेत,लाइनें,बिंदु और तस्वीरें हैं I वह उससे कहता है कि वह तस्वीरों का अध्ययन करें और उनकी सांकेतिक भाषा को समझें I जो किताबों में ओमेगा देख रहा है वह नर्सरी की कविताओं की एक किताब है I वह कविता पढ़ता है, “मिस्ट्रेस मैरी….” थिंक-टैंक को हैरानी होती है कि धरती के लोगों ने कृषि और खनन को किस प्रकार मिला दिया है I वे तो विस्फोटक पदार्थ भी उगाते हैं I वह महसूस करता है कि धरती के लोग बहुत बुद्धिमान और बहादुर है I नूडल कहता है कि आक्रमणकारी अंतरिक्ष यान धरती पर आक्रमण करने के लिए तैयार है I मगर थिंक-टैंक नूडल से कहता है कि वह आक्रमणकारी दल को रोकने के लिए कहें I उसके पास नई जानकारी आई है I थिंक-टैक आयोटा से कहता है कि वह जानकारी का अनुवाद करें I वह नर्सरी की कविता “ हे डिडल……स्पून” पढ़ती है I थिंक-टैंक भयभीत हो जाता है I वह सोचता है कि धरती के लोग बहूत उच्च सभ्यता तक पहुँच गए हैं उन्होंने अपने घरेलू जानवरों को भी संगीत और अंतरिक्ष के तरीके से सिखा दिए है I शायद वे लाखों गायों से ग्रहों पर आक्रमण करने वाले हैं I वह उसे कहता है कि वह आक्रमण दल से कह दे कि आज आक्रमण नहीं किया जाएगा I
फिर ऊप नर्सरी कविता ‘हम्प्टी डम्प्टी……..अगेन’ पढ़ता है I वह हम्प्टी डम्प्टी की तस्वीर भी दिखाता है I वह तस्वीर थिंक-टैंक से मिलती है I वह डर जाता है I वह कहता है कि धरती कि लोगों ने उसे देख लिया है I वे केंद्रीय नियंत्रण और उसे जीतना चाहते हैं I वह मंगल ग्रह से भाग जाने का फैसला करता है I वह नूडल को आदेश देता है कि वह उसके लिए एक अंतरिक्षयान तैयार करवाए I उसे बिना देरी किए वहाँ से भागना है I धरती के लोग मंगल ग्रह पर कब्जा करने आ रहे हैं I नूडल थिंक-टैंक से पूछता है कि वह कहाँ जाएँगे I थिंक-टैंक उत्तर देता है कि वे एल्फा-सेन्चुरी नाम के ग्रह पर जाएँगे जो एक सौ मिलियन दूर है I
यह फिल्म दिखाने के बाद इतिहासकार कहती है कि नर्सरी कविताओं की एक पुरानी किताब ने धरती को मंगल ग्रह के आक्रमण से बचा लिया I इसके बाद पच्चीसवीं शताब्दी में उन्होंने मंगल ग्रह से फिर संपर्क बना लिया I वे मित्र बन गए I थिंक-टैंक का स्थान नूडल ने ले लिया I उन्होंने मंगल ग्रह के निवासियों को किताबों और सैंडविच में अन्तर समझाया I उन्होंने मंगल ग्रह पर एक आदर्श पुस्तकालय भी स्थापित कर दिया I मगर उन्होंने एक पुस्तक कभी नहीं पढ़ी I यह पुस्तक है मदर गूज I
Main Characters of the Story- The Book That Saved the Earth
Character Sketch
1. Think Tank: T
The Think-Tank may be an alien living on the red planet. He wears a robe with lots of stars and circles that is big at noon, but tight at night. He believes himself to be the smartest entity within the universe and rules over Mars. As leader of a crew comprised of captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota, and Sergeant Oop, he is intelligent and authoritative. From Mars, he considers books as communication sandwiches. He smacks his mirror because it delays in complimenting him. He boasts of his intelligence and power, but evacuates his planet and escapes as soon as he understands that the folks from Earth planned on taking control.
2. Noodle:
Noodle is the worker of Think-Tank. He is a smart and intelligent animal, but though he makes the right decisions, he makes sure his boss gets all the credit. This shows his modesty and humility. He is good at handling tasks by himself. He uses logical reasoning to recognize that the books are some means of communication. In the conclusion of the play, he is a great leader and the people of Earth are in good relations with the Martians. After 500 years from when Martians first arrived on Earth, Noodle is the commander.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS/ Quiz- The Book That Saved the Earth
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. In which year was the Martian invasion on the earth planned?
(A) 2030 (B) 2040
(C) 2050 (D) 2060
Ans. (B) 2040
2. With what name is the twentieth century called?
(A) The era of the Book (B) Era of the Science
(C) Era of the Mars (D) Era of the Invasion
Ans. (A) The era of the Book
3. The story ‘The Book That Saved the Earth’ is set in:
(A) twentieth century (B) twenty-first century
(C) twenty-fourth century (D) twenty-fifth century
Ans. (D) the twenty-fifth century
4. Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?
(A) Martians (B) Earthlings
(C) Anteaters (D) Zulus
Ans. (A) Martians
5. Who was the ‘Commander-in-Chief’ of the Mars Space Control?
(A) Omega (B) Iota
(C) Think-Tank (D) Noodle
Ans. (C) Think-Tank
6. Who was the deputy of Think-Tank?
(A) Omega (B) Iota
(C) Noodle (D) Oop
Ans. (C) Noodle
7. How many moons does Mars have?
(A) one (B) two
(C) three (D) four
Ans. (B) two
8. Which book saved the earth from invasion?
(A) a book of science
(B) a world encyclopedia
(C) a book of military techniques
(D) a book of nursery rhymes
Ans. (D) a book of nursery rhymes
9. Who included the crew of the Martian Space Craft?
(A) Omega (B) Iota
(C) Oop (D) all of the above
Ans. (D) all of the above
10. Who was the captain of the spacecraft crew?
(A) Think-Tank (B) Omega
(C) Iota (D) Oop
Ans. (B) Omega
11. Who was the lieutenant of the spacecraft crew?
(A) Think-Tank (B) Omega
(C) Iota (D) Oop
Ans. (C) Iota
12. What was the name of the sergeant spacecraft crew?
(A) Think-Tank (B) Iota
(C) Oop (D) Noodle
Ans. (C) Oop
13. What do the crew members find on the earth?
(A) books stones (B) Stones
(C) sandwiches (D) all of the above
14. Who was Great and Mighty?
(A) Think-Tank (B) Noodle
(C) Oop (D) Omega
Ans. (A) Think-Tank
15. At the end who is replaced for Think-Tank?
(A) Omega (B) Noodle
(C) Oop (D) Iota
Ans. (B) Noodle
16. What does Think-Tank consider the books?
(A) sandwiches (B) ear communication devices
(C) eye communication devices (D) all of the above
Ans. (D) all of the above
17. According to the historian in the play, which century is named the ‘Era of the Book’?
(A) twentieth century (B) twenty-first century
(C) twenty-third century (D) twenty-fifth century
Ans. (A) twentieth century
18. Who was the ruler of Mars?
(A) Omega (B) Iota
(C) Think-Tank (D) Oop
Ans. (C) Think-Tank
19. Finally, who decides not to invade the earth?
(A) Omega (B) Think-Tank
(C) Noodle (D) all of the above
Ans. (B) Think-Tank
20. Who is the writer of the lesson ‘The Book That Saved the Earth’?
(A) Victor Canning (B) Claire Boiko
(C) K.A. Abbas (D) H.O. Wells
Ans. (B) Claire Boiko
Extract Based / comprehension test Questions and Answers of The Book That Saved the Earth
Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
1. A hundred million miles away from Mars. Order the invasion fleet to evacuate the entire planet of Mars. We are heading for Alpha Centauri, a hundred million miles away.
(a) Where were they heading?
(b) Why are they going there?
(c) Which planet do Think-Tank and other Martians escape to?
(d) How far was it from Mars?
Ans. (a) They were heading for Alpha Centauri a hundred million miles away from Mars.
(b) They were going to evacuate the entire planet of Mars.
(c) Alpha Centauri
(d) It was hundred million miles away from Mars.
2. The Earthlings have reached a high level of civilization. Didn’t you hear? They have taught their domesticated animals’ musical culture and space techniques. Even their dogs have a sense of humour. Why at this very moment, they may be launching an interplanetary attack on millions of cows! Notify the invasion fleet. No invasion today, Oop.
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What could have been the recent strategy of the Earthlings?
(c) What was the second rhyme about?
(d) How did Think-Tank interpret it?
Ans. (a) The think-tank is the speaker of these lines.
(b) The Earthlings strategy may be to launch an interplanetary attack on millions of cows.
(c) This was about the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon, the dog laughed to see it, etc.
(d) They thought the Earthlings were highly developed – that they used their domestic animals to teach musical culture and spaces techniques.
3.”I wish to be placed in communication with our manned space probe to that ridiculous little planet we are going to put under our generous rulership.”
(a) Who is the speaker here? Which is the little planet he is referring to?
(b) What does he intend to do?
(c) Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?
(d) Who is Think-Tank?
Ans. (a) Think-Tank. He is referring to planet Earth.
(b) He is a Martian, who along with other Martians, is planning to invade the Earth.
(c) The Martians tried to invade earth. They wanted to include earth in his domain.
(d) He is an arrogant, self-praising ruler of Mars.
4.”I’ve counted two thousand of these peculiar items. This place must be some sort of storage barn?
(a) Who is the speaker here?
(b) Where is he and what is he referring to an as peculiar item?
(c) What is a barn?
(d) Why have Iota, Oops and Omega come to the earth?
Ans. (a) Iota
(b) He is in a library and, he is referring to the books found there as peculiar items.
(c) A covered building for storing hay.
(d) Think-Tank, the ruler of Mars wanted to invade the earth. Iota, Oops and Omega are the crew members of the space probe ship to get more information about the earthlings
Short Answer Type Important Questions
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
1. How did the children’s book transform his life?
Ans. Alpha Centauri was a hundred million miles away and so he had to leave his family and go there. He went there because if he didn’t, it wouldn’t have been safe for him.
2. Why did Think-Tank react in alarm to the third passage read?
Ans. Think-Tank got confused when he thought that the poem meant the Trille could produce grains of gold and explosives, which were dangerous for him.
3. What different guesses were made by the Martians about what books are?
Ans. In the process of Martian invasion on earth, they landed in a library. They took the books as sandwiches and tried to understand the meaning of the code. And for that, they had to take vitamins given by the chemical department. They thought it would increase their intelligence.
4. What steps did the Crew take to decipher the code in the sandwich?
Ans. Martians reached the library in the process of invasion of earth. They had never seen books before that. They did not understand where they are and what are the things placed in different racks. Firstly they thought that they were sandwiches and tried to eat them. Then they misunderstood that sandwiches are used as some sort of communication device. Later they took them as eye communication and not ear communication, and understand that they had to take vitamins to understand all these codes.
5. Why did Think-Tank send his crew on the earth?
Ans. Think-Tank, the ruler of Mars regarded the Earth as a mass of mud, and Earthlings as ugly, tiny-headed creatures. He planned to invade Earth and expand his domain. He sent Probe One to Earth to get more information about the Earthlings.
6. How did Think-Tank interpret the poem ‘The Cat and the Fiddle “.
Ans. The second rhyme was about the cat and the fiddle, wherein the cow jumped over the moon, the dog laughed to see it and the dish ran away with the spoon. Think-Tank misinterpreted it. He thought that Earthlings had taught their domesticated animals’ musical culture and Space Techniques. They might be launching an interplanetary attack on millions of cows!
7. How does Think-Tank describe the people on Earth? Why does he command Noodle to contact the Space probe?
Ans. Think-Tank thought Earthlings were weak, ignorant, uncivilized persons and hence planned to invade Earth. He sent his commander Noodle to make contact with the crew of the manned space probe, now on Earth to seek more information about the Earth.
8. What do the historians speak about the books?
Ans. The historians tell that the twentieth century was called — The Era of Books. They and motivate them when they are man’s best friends and companions. They inspire disheartened. They give us pleasure and knowledge.
9. What does Noodle suggest to Think-Tank about the books?
Ans. Noodle tells Think-Tank that the Earthlings did not listen to the sandwiches, they; opened and watched them. Think-Tank had thought that the books were sandwiches. He told hint that they use these books as a device of communication.
10. Who was Omega? Why did he try to oat the book?
Ans. Omega was the captain of the space control Probe One, on Earth. Think-Tank asked him to pick up the most colourful sandwich (book) and report him about his observation on it.
11. Why books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which book saved the Earth from Martian invasion?
Ans. Hooks are our best friends and companions. They are never demanding but always giving knowledge and pleasure. They give us company. The book that saved the Earth from Martian invasion was ‘Mother Goose.’
12. Why did Think-Tank decide to evacuate Mars?
Ans. Think-Tank misinterpreted the rhymes and thought Earthlings were a threat to him as well as to Mars. He got scared and called back Probe One, dropped the idea of invading and escaped to Alpha Centauri, a hundred million miles away from Mars.
Q13. What happens when the Historian turns on the hysteroscopy?
Ans. As the Historian turn on the hysteroscope, suddenly, the scene changes from the present twenty-fifth century to many centuries ago in 2040. Spotlight on Historian goes out. Think-Tank appears. He is seated on a raised box, arms folded. He has a huge, egg-shaped head. He wears a long robe decorated with stars and circles. Apprentice Noodle stands beside him.
Q14. What does Noodle say in the praise of Think-Tank? Why does Think-Tank ask Noodle to go over the whole thing again?
Ans. Noodle bows low before the Commander-in-Chief, Think-Tank. He calls Think-Tank “Great and Mighty”. He was the most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole universe. But Think-Tank stops Noodle abruptly. He had left out a part of his salutation. He asks him to repeat it again from the very beginning. Noodle adds that Think-Tank is the newer ruler of Mars and has two moons. He bows down to receive orders from his chief.
Q15. How does Think-Tank compare the Earth and Earthlings, with Mars and Martians?
Ans. Think-Tank’s comments on the Earth and the Earthlings are very sarcastic, ridiculous and insulting. He considers Martians a handsome race. They are much more attractive than those ugly Earthlings with their tiny heads. He calls the Earth as a primitive ball of mud. He even threatens to invade it.
Q16. Name the persons who are in the Mars Space Control.
Ans. There are five persons who are managing the Mars Space Control. First and the most important of them all is great and Mightly Think-Tank. He is the Commander-in-Chief, and the ruler of Mars and two moons. Noodle is an apprentice who is always praising Think-Tank but also giving subtle suggestions very respectfully. Then, there is Captain Omega who is always opening and closing card catalogue drawers. Sergeant Oop is at right, opening and closing a book. Lieutenant Iota is up left, counting books in a bookcase.
Q17. Describe Think-Tank and his role in the play.
Ans. The think-tank is the Commander-in-Chief and the ruler of Mars and its two moons. He is considered as the most powerful and intelligent person in the universe. He himself thinks so. He is proud of belonging to a handsome race of Martians. He is dominating, loves no arguments, expects obedience and compliance. But all these claims fall short of realities and belie his claims of greatness.
Q18. What does Think-Tank, first of all, guess about the books? Why does he order to eat them?
Ans. Think-Tank views a book closely. He declares that the item (book) is called a sandwich. He tells them that sandwiches are the main staple diet of the people of the Earth. There are two slices of bread and between them is some sort of filling. He asks Omega to eat a sandwich to confirm his opinion.
Q19. Why do they hesitate to eat sandwiches (books)? Who is made to eat a sandwich in the end?
Ans. Having declared books as sandwiches, Think-Tank asks Captain Omega to eat a sandwich to confirm his opinion. When she hesitates, Think-Tank snubs her for doubting the Mighty Think-Tank. Captain Omega orders poor lieutenant to eat that sandwich. Iota very cleverly orders Sergeant Oop to eat the sandwich immediately. And he eats it for the glory of Mars. He makes terrible faces after eating it. He doesn’t like it.
Q20. Why does Noodle say that those sandwiches are actually communication sandwiches? Does “Think-Tank’ confirm it?
Ans. Noodle claims that he has seen surveyor films of those sandwiches. He noticed that the Earthlings didn’t eat them. They used them as some sort of communication devices. Think-Tank actually confirms Noodle’s findings. He orders them to listen to them.
Q21. Why does Think-Tank declare that these sandwiches are not for ear communication but for eye communication?
Ans. They don’t hear any sound coming from the sandwiches. Noodle says that a cloudy piece of information is twirling around in his head. Think-Tank asks to twirl it out. Noodle clarifies that the Earthlings don’t listen to the sandwiches but open and watches them. Think-Tank finds it correct and declares that those sandwiches are not for ear-communication but they are for eye communication.
Q22. Why does Noodle recommend giving space people vitamins? What does Think-Tank say in this regard?
Or
Are they able to describe the code of the books (sandwiches)? Why does Think-Tank order giving vitamins to them?
Ans. They pick up a very large volume of `Mother Goose’. Think-Tanks asks them to decode them. They fail to decode little lines, squabbles and dots along with pictures in the book. Think-Tank says that perhaps the Earthlings are not as primitive as they have thought. He asks their chemical department to give vitamins to space people to increase their intelligence. They will be able to unfold the meaning of the code successfully.
Q23. How does Think-Tank interpret the rhyme: “Mistress Mary….?” Why does he say that it is no time for laxity?
Ans. As is his habit of misjudging, Think-Tank misinterprets the rhyme on Mistress Mary. He chides Oop for laughing. He says that he should realise the seriousness of the discovery. The Earthlings have discovered how to combine agriculture and mining. They can actually grow crops of silver and other metals. And for cockle shells, Think-Tank interprets them as high explosives. They can grow even explosives. He asks Noodle to contact their invasion fleet.
Q24. How did Think-Tank interpret the `Humpty-Dumpty’ rhyme as a threat to the Martians?
Ans. Although called the most intelligent man in the universe, Think-Tank’s knowledge was skin-deep. He was an expert in misinterpreting things without going into the depth of the words. The rhyme, “Humpty Dumpty had a great fall” makes Think-Tank scream. He misinterprets the words “Had a great fall” meaning that the Earthlings plan to capture Mars Central Control and him. He orders them to prepare a space capsule for him to escape.
Q25. Why does Think-Tank order the invasion fleet to evacuate the entire planet of Mars? Where are they heading for?
Ans. Misinterpreting the words “Had a great fall” of ‘Humpty Dumpty’ rhyme, Think-Tank declares that the Earthlings want to capture Mars Central Control and him. He orders space people to leave Earth at once without leaving any traces of their visit. They will be heading for Alpha Centauri, a hundred million miles away from Mars.
Q26. How did a dusty old book of nursery rhymes save the world from a Martians invasion?
Or
In what way does Think-Tank misinterpret innocent nursery rhymes as a threat to the Martians?
Ans. Think-Tank was about to give orders for the invasion of the Earth. But a dusty old book of nursery rhymes saved the world from a Martians invasion. Think-Tank misinterpreted the words “had a great fall” to his own downfall. He interpreted that his downfall was imminent as the Earthlings wanted to capture Mars Central Control and him. It is an invasion on Mars. He orders the invasion fleet to evacuate the entire planet of Mars. He must escape without delay in a space capsule.
Q27. What happened when great and mighty Think-Tank was replaced by a clever Martians, Noodle?
Ans. Great and Mighty Think-Tank was replaced by a clever Martians. He was a wise and wonderful Noodle! The Earthlings resumed contact with the Martians and became very friendly. Noodle taught Martians the difference between sandwiches and books. They also taught them how to read. But they could never read one book and that was ‘Mother Goose’.
Q.28. What is the time and place of the story at the beginning?
[H.B.S.E. March. 2017 (Set-B)]
Ans. This is a science fantasy. This imaginary story is set in the twenty-fifth century. The place is the Museum of Ancient History. Department of the Twentieth Century. There is a historian sitting at a table. There is a movie projector on the table.
Q.29. What strange thing about a book does the historian tell the audience?
Ans. The historian tells her audience that once a book saved the earth. She narrates a real story from the twenty-first century. She tells how the Martians (people from the planet Mars) invaded the earth in 2040 and a book of nursery rhymes saved the Earth from their attack.
Q30. The story takes place in the twenty-fifth century. How does the historian take her audience back to the twenty-first century?
Ans. The historian shows the audience the happenings that actually took place. Them: base been recorded in a film She turns on the projector. On the projector, the audience sees what actually happened in the twenty-first century.
Q.31. Who is shown when the projector starts?
Ans. The projector shows the Mas Space Control room. We see Think-Tank who is the Commander-in-Chief. He has a huge, egg-shaped head. He wears a long robe decorated with stars and circles. His deputy, Noodle stands beside him at a switchboard.
Q.32.What is the purpose of the manned spacecraft sent to the earth by Think-Tank?
Ans. Think – Tank has already sent a manned spacecraft to the earth. Their purpose is to collect information about the earth’s defence system and send it back to the other spacecraft from Mars who are ready to attack the earth before lunch.
Q.33. Who are in a library on the earth? What are they doing there?
Ans. Captain Omega and his deputies are in a library. They came here in order to gather secrets of the earth defence. They have landed in a library. They have seen the books and the library for the first time.
Q.34. What is Think-Tank’s first guess about the books?
Ans. With the help of his remote camera, Think-Tank looks at the ‘books’. He calls them ‘eatables’ and they are in a refreshment stand. He says that they are ‘sandwiches’. They are the main food of Earth diet.
Q.35. What is Think-Tank’s second guess about books? [H.B.S.E. March 2017 (Set-C)]
Ans. Think-Tank’s second guess about books is that they are communication devices. He orders Omega to listen to them (books). He puts a book to his ears and tries hard to listen. Think-Tank asks Omega if he can listen to something from them. Omega replies that they may not be on the correct frequency.
Q.36. What order does Think-Tank give Noodle for escaping from Mars?
Ans. Think-Tank orders Noodle to prepare a space capsule for him. He must escape without delay. The Earthlings are coming to capture Martians. Noodle asks Think-Tank where they shall go. Think-Tank replies they will go to the planet Alpha-Centauri, a hundred million miles away.
Q.37. When was the contact resumed with Mars? What did the Earthlings teach the Martians?
Ans. In the twenty-fifth century, they resumed contact with Mars. They became friends. Think-Tank was replaced by Noodle. They taught the Martians the difference between books and sandwiches. They established a model library on Mars.
Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each
Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:
1.’Pride has a fall’. Justify this statement giving relevant points from how Think-Tank reacted to the readings from Mother Goose.
Ans. Martians invaded the earth and reached in a library. Think-Tank was their boss. He was very proud of his wisdom, as he was having a big balloon like head. He thought that he was the wisest person on Mars. Nobody could disobey him, or even dare to speak against him. He claimed that he had a quick mind. He had no respect for anyone and regarded other views as trifling. He was also fickle-minded.
He misinterpreted the rhymes in a complete verbal manner. The rhyme mistress Mar made him ponder over the discovery of the earth. From the poem diddle-diddle he was more alarmed and from the poem Humpty-Dumpty, he was so frightened that he decided to leave his kingdom and run away to Alpha Centauri. Thus his great wisdom was defeated and had a great fall.
2. Attempt a character-sketch of Noodle highlighting the values projected by him.
Ans. Noodle is one of the crew members of the invasion team that came to invade earth. He is known as Apprentice Noodle. He is the co-coordinator between Think-Tank and the invasion team. He echoes Think-Tank in every manner. He is a very clever creature. He knows that Think-Tank being commander-in-chief has to be obeyed. So he keeps on praising Think-Tank and also passing sarcastic remarks. It is only Noodles who think practically and differently about the books which were considered as sandwiches to eat. But Think-Tank took over the idea as his own. But Noodle is not sad at all. He is a blind and true follower of Think-Tank.
3. Historians speak highly about books. How can books help you in preventing a catastrophe?
Ans. The Historian is placed in the twenty-fifth century. He is trying to clear of the twentieth century. He calls it as the Era of the Book and speaks highly about the books, According to him books control all life. Books teach children. Books teach people how to and when to and where to and why to. They illustrate, educate, punctuate and even decorate the life of the people.
According to Historian, only the books saved the earth from Martian invasion, for the Martians had misunderstood the meaning of the poems and got frightened of them. So they left the earth in a hurry and even evacuated the Mars and headed over to Alpha Centauri. Even in our day to days life, we get all our solutions from books whether—it is health related or anything else. So we can say that books help us in preventing a catastrophe.
4. How did one old book of nursery rhymes save the earth from a Martian invasion?
Or
How do the three nursery rhymes frighten Think-Tank?
Or
In what ways does Think-Tank misinterpret innocent nursery rhymes as a threat to the Martians?
Ans. The old, dusty book of nursery rhymes was ‘Mother Goose’. Think-Tank wanted to invade Earth. He had sent Probe One to get more information about the Earthlings. The crew enters a library. There, after taking vitamins, they take out ‘Mother Goose’ and decipher the rhymes.
The rhymes are misinterpreted as threats by Think-Tank. After listening to the first rhyme, ‘Mistress Mary,’ he concluded that Earthlings had discovered how to combine agriculture and mining. The second rhyme, ‘Hey Diddle, Diddle’, seemed to suggest to him that the Earthlings might be launching an interplanetary attack on millions of cows. The third rhyme, ‘Humpty Dumpty’ wherein Humpty had a great fall and its picture that resembled him threatened him and his planet Mars. He got so scared that he dropped the idea of invading Earth, and escaped to Alpha Centauri. Thus a book of nursery rhymes saved Earth from Martian invasion.
5. Justify the title of the play ‘The Book that Saved the Earth’.
Ans. A good title should reflect the theme, idea or the traits of a character. It should revolve around any of the above. The story or the play should be woven around any one of them.
In the play — ‘The Book that Saved The Earth’, a book of nursery rhymes of ‘Mother Goose’ is responsible for stopping the Martian invasion on Earth. Think-Tank, the ruler of Mars plans to invade Earth before lunch and sends Probe One to get more information about the Earthlings. They enter a library but can’t figure out what items books are. They take vitamins, increase their intelligence then read the rhymes from ‘Mother Goose’. Think-Tank misinterprets the rhymes, takes them as threats to him and Mars. Scared, he calls back Probe One, drops the idea of invading and escapes with his subjects to Alpha Centauri, a hundred million miles away from Mars.
Thus, the book ‘Mother Goose’ was responsible for stopping the Martian invasion of Earth. The title The Book That Saved the Earth’, reflects the theme of the play, so it is an apt (appropriate) title.
Q6. What is the message or the lesson that `The Book That saved the Earth’ gives to the readers? Elucidate it.
Or
Half-Baked knowledge is always dangerous. Rushing to conclusions without going deep into the details of things always leads to uninvited chaos and disasters. Explain the above-mentioned statements in the light of Think-Tank’s interpretations of the rhymes of the book ‘Mother Goose’.
Ans. There is nothing more dangerous than half-baked knowledge. Truth is not skin-deep. And so is knowledge. We have to take a comprehensive view of things. We have to go deep into the details before coming out with sweeping generalisations. Sweeping statements are never good statements. Sometimes misinterpretation of things leads to unavoidable disasters. Think-Tank symbolises how a half-baked the mind could have led to an invasion on another planet.
Think-Tank excelled in misinterpreting and misrepresenting things. When they saw books they could not identify what they were. He jumped to one conclusion after the other. He interpreted them as sandwiches. He misinterpreted the words “had a great fall’ to his own downfall. He screamed and at once ordered to evacuate the entire Mars immediately. He felt that Mars was being invaded soon. He decided to escape without delay in a space shuttle. He told that they could go a hundred million miles away from Mars.
Q7. What does Historian say about the importance of books in the twentieth century? Why does he point out that particular dusty old rhymes saved the world from a Martian invasion?
Ans. Historian terms the twentieth century as the Era of the Book. It was the period when all kinds of books were published. There were books almost on all subjects. And each subject had many books. One could find books from anteaters to Zulus. Books taught people how to, and when to, and where to, and why to. They illustrated, punctuated, and even decorated. But the strangest thing a book ever did was to save the Earth. The invasion never really happened. A single book-`Mother Goose’ saved the Earth. Just one dusty old book of nursery rhymes changed the very course of the world. It happened in 2040. The invasion on the Earth was saved because the Martian Commander-in-Chief misinterpreted the rhyme “Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.” He misinterpreted that the Earthlings wanted to capture Mars Central Control and him. He ordered the invasion fleet to evacuate the entire planet of Mars. He prepared to escape at once in a space capsule.
Q8. Draw a pen-portrait of Great and Mighty Think-Tank. Was he really the most powerful and intelligent person in the universe?
Ans. Great and Mighty Think-Tank has been presented as the most powerful and the most intelligent creature in the whole universe. At least, Noodle and other associates think so. Powerful, of course, he was. After all, he was the Commander-in-Chief and the ruler of Mars and her two moons. He was feared, pampered, flattered and obeyed. No one could afford to disagree with him. Disobeying him was totally out of question. Only Noodle, through his diplomatic and humble pleadings, could request him to give some suggestions.
It is rather difficult to digest that Think Tank was the most intelligent creature in the whole universe. He was vain and haughty. His shallowness was quite apparent. He didn’t have the capacity to go deep into things. Nor did he digest his criticism. His views about books were totally ridiculous. To him, books were really sandwiches, the staple diet of the Earthlings.
Great and Mighty Think-Tank excelled in misinterpreting things, particularly the rhymes of ‘Mother Goose’. His half-baked knowledge made him interpret the nursery rhyme “Humpty Dumpty had a fall” as the plan of the Earthlings to capture Mars Central Control and him. He immediately ordered to send the invasion fleet to evacuate the entire planet of Mars. He prepared himself to escape in a space-shuttle at once.
Q9.What ridiculous guesses did Great and Mighty Think-Tank make about the books found on the earth? How did Noodle manage to suggest something without offending him?
Ans. Think-Tank makes ridiculous and fantastic guesses about books that are found on the planet Earth. Using his unusual fertile brain, he makes a wild guess that books are actually sandwiches, the staple diet of the Earthlings. To confirm his opinion, he asks the captain Omega to eat a book. When Oop doesn’t find it delicious, Noodle using his negotiating skills declares that the Earthlings don’t eat them. But they use them as some sort of communication device. Think-Tank shows his agreement and asks Omega to listen to them. Omega takes two books from the case, holds them .to his ears, listening intently. When nothing heard, H Noodle again handles the situation. He declares that the earthlings don’t listen to the sandwiches; they watched them. Think-Tank agrees and declares that the sandwiches are not for ear-communication but for eye-communication. Noodle suggests giving vitamins to the space people to increase their intelligence to unfold the code language of the books (sandwiches). Thus, Noodle very cleverly keeps the Commander-in-Chief in good humour. He has to be obeyed. But he knows how to handle his all-powerful, but arrogant chief.
Q6. Give a character sketch of Noodle highlighting his diplomatic handling of Think-Tank and even suggesting things without offending his mighty chief.
Ans. Noodle has to walk on a tight rope. He has to maintain a very delicate balance. And he succeeds up to some extent in his mission. The think-tank is the Commander-in-Chief and the ruler of Mars. Naturally, nobody can argue with him. It is difficult to disagree with him. And it is impossible to disobey him. Noodle knows the real worth of Think_ Tank but still, he tries to keep him in good humour. Think-Tank is called the most intelligent and powerful person in the whole universe. But Needle is a clever manipulator of things. He uses his convincing skills and humility to disarm an arrogant but all-powerful Commander-in-Chief.
Regarding the books, he very subtly but humbly goes on making new suggestions. Think-Tank is made to accept them. The needle is gifted with a rare understanding of men and situations. Historian tells that the wise and wonderful Needle replaces Great and Mighty Think Tank in the end. It is the victory of sanity and good sense over arrogance and insanity.
Q.7. What does the historian tell the audience about the twentieth century and Mars?
Ans. This imaginary story is set in the twenty-fifth century. The place is the Museum of Ancient History, Department of the Twentieth Century. A historian sitting at a table. There is a movie projector on the table. She is giving a talk to the audience about the twentieth century. She tells the audience that the twentieth century was often called the Era of the Book. In those days there were books about everything. They taught the people everything. But the strangest thing was that a book saved the Earth. She narrates a real story from the twenty-first century. She tells how the Martians (people from the planet Mars) invaded the Earth in 2040 and a book of nursery rhymes saved the Earth from their attack.
Q.8. who is Think-Tank? Why has he sent a manned spacecraft to Earth?
Ans. Think-Tank is the Commander-in-Chief of the Mars Space Control Room. He has a huge, egg-shaped head. He wears a long robe decorated with stars and circles. His deputy, Noodle stands beside him at a switchboard. Think-Tank has already sent a manned spacecraft to the Earth. Their purpose is to collect information about the earth’s defence system and send it back to the other spacecraft from Mars who are ready to attack the earth before lunch. The incident described in the story is about the Martian invasion of 2040. In fact, the invasion never took place. A single book stopped it. It was a book of nursery rhymes. Then the historian shows the audience the happenings that actually took place. These have been recorded in a film. She turns on the projector. It shows the Mars Space Control room. We see Think-Tank who is the commander-in-chief.
Q9. What happens when the Martians land in a library on the earth? What guess does Think-Tank make about books?
Ans. The Martians land in a library. They have seen the books and the library for the first time. Think-Tank talks to Captain Omega who tells him that they have arrived on Earth without incident. As they have never seen a library before, they are not sure where they are. However, Lt. Iola tells Think-Tank that there are about two thousand peculiar items (books). She thinks that the place must be some storage barn. Sergeant Oop calls them ‘hats’. Omega asks for Think-Tank’s advice. Through his remote camera, Think-Tank looks at the ‘books’. He says that what they have in their hands are ‘sandwiches’. They are the main food of Earth diet. Think-Tank orders Omega to eat it (book) to confirm. Omega asks Lt. Iota to eat it. Iota orders Sergeant Oop to cat it. Oop bites a corner of the book. He pretends to chew and swallow and tells Think-Tank that it is delicious.
Q.10. Why does Think-Tank decide not to invade the earth?
Ans. Omega looks at the books and tells Think-Tank that they have pictures of Earthlings. They have some sort of code, lines and dots with pictures. He asks him to study the pictures and decipher the code in them. The book that Omega is looking at is a nursery rhyme book and reads it. Think-Tank wonders how the Earthlings have combined agriculture and mining. They also grow explosives. He feels that the people of the earth are very intelligent and brave. Noodle says that the invasion spacecraft are ready to attack the earth. But Think-Tank asks Noodle to tell the invasion fleet to hold. New information has come to him. Think-Tank asks Iota to transcribe the information. He thinks that the Earthlings have reached a higher level of civilisation. They have taught their domesticated animal’s music and space techniques. So he decides not to invade the earth.
Q.11. Why does Think-Tank decide to run away from Mars? What does the historian say after she has narrated the incident?
Ans. Oop reads the nursery rhyme ‘Humpty Dumpty … again’. He shows the picture of Humpty Dumpty also. The picture resembles Think-Tank. He is scared. He says that the Earthlings have seen him. They are planning to capture Mars Central Control and him. He decides to run away from Mars. He orders Noodle to prepare a space capsule for him. He must escape without delay. Noodle asks Think-Tank where they shall go. Think-Tank replies they will go to the planet Alpha-Centauri, a hundred million miles away. After narrating the incident to his audience, the historian says that one old book of nursery rhymes saved the earth from a Martian invasion. Then in the twenty-fifth century, they resumed contact with Mars. They became friends. They taught the Martians the difference between books and sandwiches. They established a model library on Mars.
