THE BOOK THAT SAVED THE EARTH
Author : Clairo Boiko (Explanation) SCENE 1TIME : The twenty-fifth century PLACE : The Museum of Ancient History: Department of the Twentieth Century on the Planet Earth
Time during this scene of play is 25th Century. Place is The Museum of Ancient History in the Department of 20th Century on Earth. It is one of the planets of universe.
BEFORE RISE : Spotlight shines on Historian, who is sitting at a table down right, on which is a movie projector. A sign on an easel beside her reads: Museum of Ancient History: Department of the Twentieth Century. She stands and bows to audience.
Before raising of the curtain, a person stands up on the stage, a spot light shines on a Historian. She is sitting on right side of the stage. The table has a projector. There is a stand near her. Following is written on it – Museum of Ancient History: Department of the Twentieth Century. She stands up and bows her head to audience
HISTORIAN : Good afternoon. Welcome to our Museum of Ancient History, and to my department — curiosities of the good old, far-off twentieth century.
The historian greets audience with good afternoon. She welcomes audience to the museum and her department. She says that her department has the eagerness to learn about very old time of twentieth century. Which means a reader can get information about 20th century here.
The twentieth century was often called the Era of the Book. In those days, there were books about everything, from anteaters to Zulus. Books taught people how to, and when to, and where to, and why to.
The twentieth century was usually called the period or time of books. In those days there were books on every topic, on anteaters and on Zulu tribe of South Africa. From books people understood how to do something, when to do something, where to do something and why to do something
They illustrated, educated, punctuated, and even decorated. But the strangest thing a book ever did was to save the Earth. You haven’t heard about the Martian invasion of 2040? Tsk, tsk.
The books explained with pictures, provided education. Books were frequently published and sometimes decorated also. But the strangest achievement through a book was to save the Earth. The historian asks if people have heard about an attack in 2040 by people living on Mars.
What do they teach children nowadays? Well, you know, the invasion never really happened, because a single book stopped it. What was the book, you ask? A noble encyclopedia? A tome about rockets and missiles? A secret file from outer space? No, it was none of those.
Nowadays this is not taught to children. Actually the attack did not happen because of one book. You may ask which book was that. Was it an encyclopedia or a big book or a secrete file. It was not any of these type of books.
It was — but here, let me turn on the historiscope and show you what happened many centuries ago, in 2040. (She turns on projector, and points it left. Spotlight on Historian goes out, and comes up down left on Think-Tank, who is seated on a raised box, arms folded.
She says that details would be shown through a recording. She switched on the historiscope to show what had happened in 2024. She also switches on the projector. The film appears on left of the stage. The spotlight on the historian is switched off. In the film one can see a person named Think-Tank. He is sitting on a box. The box is quite high. His arms are folded.
He has a huge, egg-shaped head, and he wears a long robe decorated with stars and circles. Apprentice Noodle stands beside him at an elaborate switchboard. A sign on an easel reads:
Think-Tanks has a big head. His head is of the shape of an egg. He is wearing a long dress which has stars and circles printed on it. A trainee is standing near him. Name of the trainee is Noodle. He is standing near a big switch board. An easel is placed near the Think-Tank. Following is written on it. It indicates that the scene is of Mars Space Station. The Think-Tank is the highest authority of it. Everybody is required to bow to him before entering the control room
MARS SPACE CONTROL GREAT AND MIGHTY THINK-TANK, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF (Bow low before entering) NOODLE : (bowing) O Great and Mighty Think-Tank, most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole universe, what are your orders? THINK-TANK : (peevishly) You left out part of my salutation, Apprentice Noodle. Go over the whole thing again.
Noodle bows before Think-Tank. Addresses him as the most powerful and most intelligent person of the universe and asks for his orders. Think-Tanks angrily says that apprentice Noodle has not spoken the complete greetings. So he should say the salutation again
NOODLE : It shall be done, sir. (in a singsong) O Great and Mighty Think-Tank, Ruler of Mars and her two moons, most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole universe — (out of breath) what-are-your-orders?
Noodle says that he will repeat the complete salutation. In the style of a song he says the complete salutation. He runs out of his breath. He asks for the orders of think-Tank.
THINK-TANK : That’s better, Noodle. 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. What do they call it, again? NOODLE : Earth, your Intelligence.
Think-Tank appreciates Noodle. Think-Tank wants to talk to their manned mission to the small planet. They want to include that planet in their kingdom. He asks name of that silly planet. Noodle replies that it is called Earth.
THINK-TANK : Earth — of course. You see how insignificant the place is? But first, something important. My mirror. I wish to consult my mirror. NOODLE : It shall be done, sir. (He hands Think-Tank a mirror.) THINK-TANK : Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land? OFFSTAGE VOICE : (after a pause) You, sir.
Think-Tank now recalls the name of the planet. He says that the planet is so small. But he first wants to do something important. He wants to talk to his mirror. Noodle brings the mirror. Think-Tank asks the mirror who is most intelligent person in the world. The mirror replies after a short time that it is you – meaning Think Tank.
THINK-TANK : (smacking mirror) Quicker. Answer quicker next time. I hate a slow mirror. (He admires himself in the mirror.) Ah, there I am. Are we Martians not a handsome race?
Think-Tank slapped the mirror and ordered it to give answers quickly because he hates slow mirrors. He looks in the mirror and appreciates himself. He says that people of mars are handsome people.
So much more attractive than those ugly Earthlings with their tiny heads. Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like mine.
Think-tank says that people of Mars are more attractive than people living on Earth. The earthlings have very small head. He asks Noodle to continue to exercise his mind. Then someday Noodle will have very big brain similar to that of Think-TankNOODLE : Oh, I hope so, Mighty Think-Tank. I hope so. THINK-TANK : Now, contact the space probe. I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth before lunch. NOODLE : It shall be done, sir. (He adjusts levers on switchboard. Electronic buzzes and beeps are heard as the curtains open.)
Noodle says he will try. He is very hopeful. Think-Tank asks noodle to contact the space mission. Think-Tank says that he wants to attack the underdeveloped ball of mud known as earth before lunch. Noodle tries to contact the space mission by adjusting levers on the switchboard. One can hear sound of beeps and buzzes. The curtain opens.
SCENE 2TIME : A few seconds later PLACE : Mars Space Control and the Centerville Public Library AT RISE : Captain Omega stands at centre, opening and closing card catalogue drawers in a confused fashion. Lieutenant Iota is up left, counting books in a bookcase. Sergeant Oop is at right, opening and closing a book, turning it upside down, shaking it and then riffling the pages and shaking his head.
Time is just a few seconds after completion of first scene of the play. Mars Space Control Room is at Mars and the Centerville Public Library is on Earth. In the library, Captain Omega is standing in the center of the library. She is trying to understand card catalogue stored in a drawer. Lieutenant Iota is standing at the left of Omega. She is counting books in a bookcase. Sergeant Oop is at the right. He is trying to understand what a book is. [These people from mars had never seen a library and books]
NOODLE : (adjusting knobs) I have a close sighting of the space crew, sir. (Think-Tank puts on a pair of enormous goggles and turns towards the stage to watch.) They seem to have entered some sort of Earth structure. THINK-TANK : Excellent. Make voice contact.
Noodle says that he has a good view of space crew from very close. Think-Tank puts on a very big goggles and he starts watching the crew. Noodle says that the space crew is probably in some structure on the Earth. Think-Tank appreciates and asks Noodle to arrange a talk with the crew.
NOODLE : (speaking into a microphone) Mars Space Control calling the crew of Probe One. Mars Space Control calling the crew of Probe One. Come in, Captain Omega, and give us your location.
Noodle speaks in a microphone. Mars Space Control calling crew of Probe One. He asks the crew to contact him. He asks Captain Omega to tell his location.
OMEGA : (speaking into a disk which is on a chain around her neck) Captain Omega to Mars Space Control. Lieutenant Iota, Sergeant Oop, and I have arrived on Earth without incident. We have taken shelter in this (indicates room) — this square place. Have you any idea where we are, Lieutenant Iota?
Omega speaks in a disc. It is tied with a chain. The chain is around her neck. She says that all three of them reached Earth without any problem. We have taken shelter in this square shaped place. Omega asks Iota if she knows where they were.
IOTA : I can’t figure it out, Captain. (holding up a book) I’ve counted two thousand of these peculiar items. This place must be some sort of storage barn. What do you think, Sergeant Oop?
Iota is holding a book. She replies that she is not able to understand about the place. She says that she has counted two thousand of this strange item. [She has counted two thousand books. They have seen books for the first time]. She says it must be a place to store grains. Now Iota asks opinion of sergeant Oop about the place.
OOP : I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Maybe they’re hats. (He opens a book and puts it on his head.) Say, maybe this is a haberdashery! OMEGA : (bowing low) Perhaps the Great and Mighty ThinkTank will give us the benefit of his thought on the matter.
Oop replies that he does not have any idea. I have been to seven galaxies but have not seen any place like this. He opens a book and places it on his head. He says that probably these are hats. Or probably this place is a haberdashery. Omega bows her head. She addresses Think-Tanks as the great and powerful person. She requests Think-Tank to give his opinion about the place.
THINK-TANK : Elementary, my dear Omega. Hold one of the items up so that I may view it closely. (Omega holds a book on the palm of her hand.) Yes, yes, I understand now. Since Earth creatures are always eating, the place in which you find yourselves is undoubtedly a crude refreshment stand.
Think-Tank says that it is very ordinary thing. He asks Omega to hold the item in such a way that he can see it properly. After seeing the book Think Tanks says that now he has understood about the place. Since people living on earth are always eating, the place is an ordinary shop for refreshment. Eatables are placed in stands.
OMEGA : (to Iota and Oop) He says we’re in a refreshment stand. OOP : Well, the Earthlings certainly have a strange diet. THINK-TANK : That item in your hand is called a sandwich. OMEGA : (nodding) A sandwich. IOTA : (nodding) A sandwich. OOP : (taking book from his head) A sandwich?
Omega informs to her colleagues Iota and Oop that Think-Tank says this place is a refreshment stand. Oop says that people of Earth have a strange diet. Think Tank says that the item in the hand of Omega is called a sandwich. Oop looks at the book and wonders if it is a sandwich.
THINK-TANK : Sandwiches are the main staple of Earth diet. Look at it closely.(Omega squints at book.) There are two slices of what is called bread, and between them is some sort of filling. OMEGA : That is correct, sir. THINK-TANK : To confirm my opinion, I order you to eat it. OMEGA : (gulping) Eat it? THINK-TANK : Do you doubt the Mighty Think-Tank?
Think-Tank says that sandwich is the main common food at Earth. He asks Omega to look at it carefully. Think-Tank explains that there are two slices of bread (hard cover of book) and some filling (papers) between these slices. Omega confirms. Think-Tank orders Omega to eat it. Omega is not ready to eat. So Think-Tank asks if Omega has a doubt about orders from powerful Think Tank.
vOMEGA : Oh, no, no. But poor Lieutenant Iota has not had her breakfast. Lieutenant Iota, I order you to eat this — this sandwich. IOTA : (dubiously) Eat it? Oh, Captain! It’s a very great honour to be the first Martian to eat a sandwich, I’m sure, but — but how can I be so impolite as to eat before my Sergeant? (handing Oop the book and saying brightly) Sergeant Oop, I order you to eat the sandwich immediately.Omega says that Iota has not taken her breakfast. So she orders Iota to eat the sandwich (book). Iota does not want to eat it. So she says that it would be a great honour to be the first person of Mars to eat a sandwich. But she does not want to eat before her Sergeant. So she orders Oop to immediately eat sandwich.
OOP : (making a face) Who, Lieutenant? Me, Lieutenant? IOTA and OMEGA : (saluting) For the glory of Mars, Oop! OOP : Yes, of course! (unhappily) Immediately. (He opens his mouth wide. Omega and Iota watch him breathlessly. He bites down on a corner of the book, and pantomimes chewing and swallowing, while making terrible faces.)
Oop is hesitating. But Iota and Omega salute him and request him to eat the book for the sake of Mars. Oop opens his mouth and bites a corner of the book. He mouth moves as if he is chewing and swallowing the book. Expressions of his face are very bad.
OMEGA : Well, Oop? IOTA : Well, Oop? (Oop coughs. Omega and Iota pound him on the back.) THINK-TANK : Was it not delicious, Sergeant Oop? OOP : (saluting) That is correct, sir. It was not delicious. I don’t know how the Earthlings can get those sandwiches down without water. They’re dry as Martian dust.
Oop coughs. Omega and Iota pat his back. Think-Tank ask him if it was not tasty. Oop agrees that it was not tasty. He does not understand how people of earth can eat sandwiches without water. These are as dry as sand of Mars.
NOODLE : Sir, sir. Great and Mighty Think-Tank. I beg your pardon, but an insignificant bit of data floated into my mind about those sandwiches. THINK-TANK : It can’t be worth much, but go ahead. Give us your trifling bit of data.
Noodle requests Think-Tank to excuse him. He says that he has some small amount of data about these sandwiches. Think-Tanks says that these data cannot be of any importance. He asks Noodle to tell about the unimportant data.
NOODLE : Well, sir, I have seen surveyor films of those sandwiches. I noticed that the Earthlings did not eat them. They used them as some sort of communication device. THINK-TANK : (haughtily) Naturally. That was my next point. These are actually communication sandwiches. Think-Tank is never wrong. Who is never wrong? ALL : (saluting) Great and Mighty Think-Tank is never wrong.
Noodle says that he had seen some films about those sandwiches. People of earth do not eat them. These are some kind of device which are used for communication. Think-Tank proudly says that this was his next point. These are actually communication sandwiches. Think-Tank is never wrong. He asks who is never wrong. Everybody say that Think-Tanks is never wrong.
THINK-TANK : Therefore, I order you to listen to them OMEGA : Listen to them? IOTA AND OOP : (to each other, puzzled) Listen to them? THINK-TANK : Do you have marbles in your ears? I said, listen to them. (Martians bow very low.) OMEGA : It shall be done, sir. (They each take two books from the case, and hold them to their ears, listening intently.)
Now Think-Tanks orders them to listen to these books. All three are surprised. But Think – Tank again orders them to listen to books. Martians bow very low. Each of them take two books and hold close to their ears. They try to listen with attention.
IOTA : (whispering to Omega) Do you hear anything? OMEGA : (whispering back) Nothing. Do you hear anything, Oop? OOP : (loudly) Not a thing! (Omega and Iota jump in fright.) OMEGA AND IOTA : Sh-h-h! (They listen intently again.)
Omega, Iota and Oop try to listen to the books. They ask each other if any sound is coming out of the books. Oop loudly says that he is not able to hear anything.
THINK-TANK : Well? Well? Report to me. What do you hear? OMEGA : Nothing, sir. Perhaps we are not on the correct frequency. IOTA : Nothing, sir. Perhaps the Earthlings have sharper ears than we do. OOP : I don’t hear a thing. Maybe these sandwiches don’t make sounds.
Think-Tank asks them to tell him what they have listened. They all say that they heard nothing. Omega says that probably the frequency of books is different. Iota says that probably people of earth have better ears. Oop says that probably these sandwiches do not make any sound at all.
THINK-TANK : What? Does somebody suggest the Mighty Think-Tank has made a mistake? OMEGA : Oh, no, sir; no, sir. We’ll keep listening. NOODLE : Please excuse me, your Brilliance, but a cloudy piece of information is twirling around in my head. THINK-TANK : Well, twirl it out, Noodle, and I will clarify it for you. NOODLE : I seem to recall that the Earthlings did not listen to the sandwiches; they opened them and watched them.
Think-Tank asks if they are trying to say that he has made a mistake. All three deny and say that they will continue to listen. Noodle says that some information has come to his mind but he is not sure about it. Think-Tank asks noodle to tell the information so that he can clarify it. Noodle says that earthlings did not listen to sandwiches. They opened it and looked at them.
THINK-TANK : Yes, that is quite correct, I will clarify that for you, Captain Omega. Those sandwiches are not for ear communication, they are for eye communication. Now, Captain Omega, take that large, colourful sandwich over there. It appears to be important. Tell me what you observe. (Omega picks up a very large volume of Mother Goose, holding it so that the audience can see the title. Iota looks over her left shoulder, and Oop peers over her right shoulder.)
Think-Tanks agrees with Noodle and clarifies to Captain Omega. He says that these sandwiches are not for communication through ears but for communication through eyes. He asks Omega to pick up a colourful book. He says that this book is important and asks Omega to tell him what Omega sees in the book. Omega picks up a very big book whose title is Mother Goose. Audience can see the title. Iota and Opp are standing on the sides of Omega. They try to look at the book.
OMEGA : It appears to contain pictures of Earthlings. IOTA : There seems to be some sort of code. THINK-TANK : (sharply interested) Code? I told you this was important. Describe the code. OOP : It’s little lines and squiggles and dots — thousands of them alongside the pictures.
Omega says that the book contains pictures of earthlings. Iota says that the book contains some code. Think-Tank is now interested and asks them to describe the codes. Oop says that it has thousands of pictures. The codes are in the form of lines, short curved lines and dots on sides of pictures
THINK-TANK : Perhaps the Earthlings are not as primitive as we have thought. We must break the code. NOODLE : Forgive me, your Cleverness, but did not the chemical department give our space people vitamins to increase their intelligence?
Think-Tanks says that probably earthlings are not as underdeveloped as we thought. We must find out meaning of the code. Noodle asks if the chemical department had given vitamin tablets to crew of their space mission. These tablets can increase their intelligence.
THINK-TANK : Stop! A thought of magnificent brilliance has come to me. Space people, our chemical department has given you vitamins to increase your intelligence. Take them immediately and then watch the sandwich. The meaning of the code will slowly unfold before you.
Think-Tank orders Noodles to stop speaking. He says that a very good idea has come to him. He reminds the crew that their chemical department had given them vitamin tablets. He orders them to immediately take those tablets and then to look into the sandwich. The meaning of the code will be slowly known to you.
OMEGA : It shall be done, sir. Remove vitamins. (Crew takes vitamins from boxes on their belts.) Present vitamins. (They hold vitamins out in front of them, stiffly.) Swallow vitamins. (They pop the vitamins into their mouths and gulp simultaneously. They open their eyes wide, their heads shake, and they put their hands to their foreheads.) THINK-TANK : Excellent. Now, decipher that code. ALL : It shall be done, sir. (They frown over the book, turning pages.)
Omega says that orders of Think-Tank shall be obeyed. All three people take vitamin tablets. Their eyes are wide open, their heads shake and they put their hand on their foreheads. Think-tank appreciates them and asks them to find out meaning of code. They all agree to do so. The start looking in the book. They are turning pages of the book.
OMEGA : (brightly) Aha! IOTA : (brightly) Oho! OOP : (bursting into laughter) Ha, ha, ha. THINK-TANK : What does it say? Tell me this instant. Transcribe, Omega. OMEGA : Yes, sir. (She reads with great seriousness.) Mistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With cockle shells and silver bells And pretty maids all in a row.
Omega. Iota and Oop start laughing. Think-Tank asks them to tell him immediately what they had read. He asks Omega to read what is written. Omega reads half sentences. [No meaning can be understood by these sentences]
OOP : Ha, ha, ha. Imagine that. Pretty maids growing in a garden. THINK-TANK : (alarmed) Stop! This is no time for levity. Don’t you realise the seriousness of this discovery? The Earthlings have discovered how to combine agriculture and mining. They can actually grow crops of rare metals such as silver. And cockle shells. They can grow high explosives, too. Noodle, contact our invasion fleet.
Oop laughs at imagining that pretty maid are growing in a garden. Think-Tank asks him to stop laughing. You should understand this serious discovery. The Earthlings have combined agriculture with mining. They are able to grow crop of rare metals like silver. They can also grow cockle shells. They are growing explosives also. He asks Noodle to contact Martian forces of attack.
NOODLE : They are ready to go down and take over Earth, sir. THINK-TANK : Tell them to hold. Tell them new information has come to us about Earth. Iota, transcribe.
Noodle says that the force is ready to go and capture Earth. Think-Tank asks Noodle to tell the force to wait for some time because some more information has been received about earth. He asks Iota to narrate the information.
IOTA : Yes, sir. (She reads very gravely.) Hey diddle diddle! The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon, The little dog laughed to see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. OOP : (laughing) The dish ran away with the spoon!
Iota seriously reads from the book. It is a poem. Oop laughs at listening that dish had run away with the spoon.
THINK-TANK : Cease laughter. Desist. This is more and more alarming. The Earthlings have reached a high level of civilisation. 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 of millions of cows! Notify the invasion fleet. No invasion today Oop, transcribe the next code.
Think-Tank orders Oop to stop laughing and to avoid laughing. This is very dangerous. The Earthlings are highly advanced. They have taught music and space technology to their domestic animals. Their dogs are also funny. At present they are starting attack on other planets by millions of cows. He asks to inform the attacking force not to attack today. He asks Oop to read further.
OOP : Yes, sir. (reading) Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the King’s horses and all the King’s men, Cannot put Humpty Dumpty together again. Oh, look, sir. Here’s a picture of Humpty Dumpty. Why, sir, he looks like — he looks like — (turns large picture of Humpty Dumpty towards Think-Tank and the audience)
Oop reads another poem. It is of Humpty Dumpty. He asks Think-Tank to look at the picture of Humpty Dumpty. Audience and Think-Tank can now see the picture.
THINK-TANK : (screaming and holding his head) It’s me! It’s my Great and Mighty Balloon Brain. The Earthlings have seen me, and they’re after me. “Had a great fall!” — That means they plan to capture Mars Central Control and me! It’s an invasion of Mars! Noodle, prepare a space capsule for me. I must escape without delay. Space people, you must leave Earth at once, but be sure to remove all traces of your visit. The Earthlings must not know that I know. (Omega, Iota, and Oop rush about, putting books back on shelves.)
Think-Tanks shouts and hold his head in his hands. He says that the picture is of him. It is my own great balloon brain. The Earthlings have seen me and they want to kill me. They want to capture the Mars Central Control and me. He orders Noodle to prepare a space plane for himself. He wants to escape without any delay. He then orders his people at the earth to immediately leave earth after removing all signs of their visit. The Earthlings should not know that I know their plan. The team starts putting back the books in the shelf.
NOODLE : Where shall we go, sir? THINK-TANK : 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. (Omega, Iota, and Oop run off right as Noodle helps Think-Tank off left and the curtain closes. Spotlight shines on Historian down right.)
Noodle asks where they should go. Think-Tanks replies that they would go one hundred million miles away from Mars. He orders the invasion crew to vacate the entire planet. He declare that all will go to Alpha Centauri which is hundred million miles away. Omega, Iota and Oop run towards right, Noodle helps Think-Tank to move towards left. The curtain falls. The spotlight is now on historian.
HISTORIAN : (chuckling) And that’s how one dusty old book of nursery rhymes saved the world from a Martian invasion. As you all know, in the twenty-fifth century, five hundred years after all this happened, we Earthlings resumed contact with Mars, and we even became very friendly with the Martians.
The historian says that this is how an old simple book of nursery rhymes saved the world from attack by people of Mars. After five hundred years from that incident, in the twenty-fifth century we once again contacted mars. And we became friends of each other.
By that time, Great and Mighty Think-Tank had been replaced by a very clever Martian — the wise and wonderful Noodle! Oh, yes, we taught the Martians the difference between sandwiches and books.
By twenty-fifth century the great and most powerful Think-Tank was not head of Mars. Noodle, who was wise and a very nice person, had become head of Mars. We, the people of earth, taught Martian the difference between a sandwich and a book.
We taught them how to read, too, and we established a model library in their capital city of Marsopolis. But as you might expect, there is still one book that the Martians can never bring themselves to read. You’ve guessed it — Mother Goose! (She bows and exits right.)
The historian says that we taught the Martian how to read. We established a model library in the capital of Mars – Marsopolis. But Martians do not want to read one particular book. Your guess is right, its title is Mother Goose. The historian bows and goes from the stage.
Curtain falls. CURTAIN CLAIRE BOIKOText Book Questions
Q. 1. Why was the twentieth century called the 'Era of the Book' ?Ans. In those days, there were books about everything. There were books on all subjects – men as well as animals. There were books on all kinds of art. Books taught people the how, when, where and why of things. That was why the twentieth century was called the 'Era of the Book'.
Q.2. Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century ?
Ans. The Martians tried to invade the earth in 2040. A manned space probe was sent to the earth from Mars Space Control. Mighty Think-Tank was the ruler of Mars at that time.
Q.3 What is Think-Tank's first guess about books?
Ans. When Think-Tank looks at the books through his remote cameras, he takes them for eatables. He says that they are sandwiches and are the main food of the Earthlings. He asks Sergeant Oop to take a bite of it. Oop tells him that it is not delicious.
Q.4 What is Think-Tank's second guess about books?
Ans. Think - Tank's second guess about books is that books are some communication devices. He asks the crew members to listen to those devices. The crew members the books to their ears but they can't hear anything. At this, Captain Omega tells Think-Tank that they may not be on the correct frequency.
Q.5. What sort of fantasy is 'The Book that Saved the Earth' and in which was it set?
Ans. The play, 'The Book that Saved the Earth', is a science fantasy. It was set in the twenty-fifth century.
Q.6 Who are in the library on the Earth? What are they doing there?
Ans. The crew members of the Martian space probe called Probe One are in the library. They include Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota and Sergeant Oop. They are doing recce there before invading the earth.
Q.7. What order does Think-Tank give Noodle for escaping from Mars ?
Ans. Think - Tank thinks that the Earthlings are planning to invade Mars. He orders the invasion fleet to evacuate the planet Mars and go a hundred million miles away from it. For his own escape, he orders Noodle a special space capsule .
Q. 8. What is the time and place of the play, 'The Book that Saved the Earth' , at the beginning?
Ans. The incident described in the play is supposed to have happened in the beginning of the 25th century. The place of action is the Museum of Ancient History located on the earth itself.
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