The Book that Saved the Earth Notes Chapter 9 English Class 10

Notes For All Chapters English Footprints without Feet Class 10 CBSE

Author: Claire Boiko

1. Introduction

• The play is a science fiction comedy.
• Time: 25th century.
• Place: Museum of Ancient History, Earth.
• Narrator: A historian, who explains how Earth was saved from a Martian invasion in the year 2040.
• The 20th century was called the Era of the Book because:
  • Books existed on all topics.
  • They taught people how, when, where, why to do things.
  • Books were used for knowledge, decoration, and entertainment.
• A single book of nursery rhymes (Mother Goose) saved Earth.

2. Characters

• Think-Tank
  • Ruler of Mars, commander-in-chief.
  • Proud, arrogant, and calls himself “Great and Mighty.”
  • Has a huge egg-shaped head, full of self-importance.
  • Fears Earth after misinterpreting rhymes.
• Noodle
  • Think-Tank’s apprentice.
  • Polite, obedient, and clever.
  • Corrects Think-Tank’s mistakes indirectly to avoid offending him.
  • Later becomes the wise ruler of Mars.
• Captain Omega
  • Leader of the Martian crew on Earth.
  • Respectful towards Think-Tank.
• Lieutenant Iota
  • Member of the Martian crew.
  • Obedient and follows orders, even silly ones.
• Sergeant Oop
  • Strong but not very intelligent.
  • Forced to “eat” a book.
• Historian
  • Narrator in the 25th century.
  • Tells the audience how Earth was saved.

3. Summary of Events

Scene 1 – Introduction of Think-Tank

• Think-Tank is shown on Mars, admiring himself in a mirror.
• Orders Noodle to connect with the Martian space probe on Earth.
• He wants to invade Earth quickly.

Scene 2 – Martians in the Library

• Martian crew (Omega, Iota, Oop) land on Earth and enter a public library.
• They see thousands of books but do not understand what they are.
• They think:
  • Books are hats (Oop tries one on his head).
  • The library is a refreshment stand (food shop).
  • Books are sandwiches (food items).
• Think-Tank orders them to eat the “sandwich.”
  • Sergeant Oop tries to eat a book and says it tastes dry and dusty.
• Noodle politely suggests that books are used for communication.
• Think-Tank agrees and orders the crew to listen to the books.
• When nothing is heard, Noodle again suggests that books are for eye communication (reading).

Discovery of Nursery Rhymes

• The Martians pick up the book Mother Goose.
• They find pictures and text, which they think is a secret Earth code.
• To understand, they eat “intelligence vitamins” and then read the rhymes.

Misinterpretations of Rhymes

1. Mistress Mary, quite contrary
   • Think-Tank believes Earthlings can grow silver, shells, and explosives in gardens.
   • He fears their advanced agriculture and mining power.
2. Hey diddle diddle
   • Think-Tank concludes Earthlings have trained animals in music, space travel, and humour.
   • He imagines cows can jump over the moon and launch an attack.
3. Humpty Dumpty
   • The picture looks like Think-Tank himself.
   • The rhyme says “had a great fall.”
   • He panics, thinking Earthlings know him and plan to destroy him.

Climax and End

• Terrified, Think-Tank cancels the invasion.
• Orders Martians to leave Earth immediately and evacuate to Alpha Centauri (far away).
• Historian concludes:
  • Earth was saved by a dusty old book of nursery rhymes.
  • Later, Earth and Mars became friends.
  • Noodle replaced Think-Tank as ruler.
  • Martians learned to read, but they still feared the book Mother Goose.