NCERT Textbook: An Alien Hand | English An Alien Hand Class 7 PDF Download

 Page 1


Before you read
Have you heard of the Viking Mission to Mars?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Viking
Mission to Mars was composed of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and
Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The primary
objectives were to obtain images and samples of the Martian surface
and soil and search for any possible signs of life. Viking 1 was launched
on 20 August 1975 and arrived at Mars on 19 June 1976. Viking 2
was launched on 9 September 1975 and entered Mars’ orbit on
7 August 1976.
Besides taking photographs and collecting other science data on
the Martian surface, the two landers conducted three biology
experiments to look for possible signs of life. As of now, there is no
clear evidence of the presence of living microorganisms in the soil
near the landing sites.
Now read the story.
Tilloo and his parents live beneath the surface of a planet
under artificial conditions.
Tilloo has heard and read about the sun and the stars. He
has never seen them.
Tilloo’s father goes to work through a secret passage, and
Tilloo wants to know all about it.
Reprint 2024-25
Page 2


Before you read
Have you heard of the Viking Mission to Mars?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Viking
Mission to Mars was composed of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and
Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The primary
objectives were to obtain images and samples of the Martian surface
and soil and search for any possible signs of life. Viking 1 was launched
on 20 August 1975 and arrived at Mars on 19 June 1976. Viking 2
was launched on 9 September 1975 and entered Mars’ orbit on
7 August 1976.
Besides taking photographs and collecting other science data on
the Martian surface, the two landers conducted three biology
experiments to look for possible signs of life. As of now, there is no
clear evidence of the presence of living microorganisms in the soil
near the landing sites.
Now read the story.
Tilloo and his parents live beneath the surface of a planet
under artificial conditions.
Tilloo has heard and read about the sun and the stars. He
has never seen them.
Tilloo’s father goes to work through a secret passage, and
Tilloo wants to know all about it.
Reprint 2024-25
45
An Alien Hand
“TILLOO! How often have you been told not to go that way?”
“But why does Daddy go there every day?”
“Because that’s his job, Tilloo!”
‘That way’ was an underground passage. Tilloo’s father
went every day for work along that passage. And every day
he came back from that direction. What lay at the end of
that forbidden route? Not only Tilloo, but a great majority
of the community would have liked to know. Tilloo’s father
was one of the select few permitted to go that way. The
above conversation invariably took place between Tilloo
and his mother whenever he insisted on following his father.
Today, however, was different. Tilloo’s father was enjoying
a siesta at home and Tilloo managed to get hold of his
security card. Then, evading his watchful mother’s eye,
Tilloo made his way to the forbidden passage.
A metal door barred his entry. But Tilloo had watched
his father slip the magic card into a slot. He did the
same... and the door opened noiselessly . A well-lit passage
seemed to beckon him.
Snatching the card which had come out of another slot
in the wall, Tilloo started his march along a gentle upward
slope—for the passage led from the underground habitat
to the surface of the planet. Tilloo looked forward to seeing
the sun (if it was daytime) or the stars (if it was night) about
which he had heard and read so much.
But alas, that  wasn’t to be!
Tilloo had underestimated the security arrangements.
Invisible mechanical devices had already detected and
photographed the small intruder, sent his picture to the
Central Bureau where it was thoroughly checked... And
before he had advanced ten paces a strong hand fell heavily
on his shoulder. Gently but firmly he was escorted by the
siesta: short rest or nap after lunch habitat: shelter or home detected: found
out escorted: taken or led
Reprint 2024-25
Page 3


Before you read
Have you heard of the Viking Mission to Mars?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Viking
Mission to Mars was composed of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and
Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The primary
objectives were to obtain images and samples of the Martian surface
and soil and search for any possible signs of life. Viking 1 was launched
on 20 August 1975 and arrived at Mars on 19 June 1976. Viking 2
was launched on 9 September 1975 and entered Mars’ orbit on
7 August 1976.
Besides taking photographs and collecting other science data on
the Martian surface, the two landers conducted three biology
experiments to look for possible signs of life. As of now, there is no
clear evidence of the presence of living microorganisms in the soil
near the landing sites.
Now read the story.
Tilloo and his parents live beneath the surface of a planet
under artificial conditions.
Tilloo has heard and read about the sun and the stars. He
has never seen them.
Tilloo’s father goes to work through a secret passage, and
Tilloo wants to know all about it.
Reprint 2024-25
45
An Alien Hand
“TILLOO! How often have you been told not to go that way?”
“But why does Daddy go there every day?”
“Because that’s his job, Tilloo!”
‘That way’ was an underground passage. Tilloo’s father
went every day for work along that passage. And every day
he came back from that direction. What lay at the end of
that forbidden route? Not only Tilloo, but a great majority
of the community would have liked to know. Tilloo’s father
was one of the select few permitted to go that way. The
above conversation invariably took place between Tilloo
and his mother whenever he insisted on following his father.
Today, however, was different. Tilloo’s father was enjoying
a siesta at home and Tilloo managed to get hold of his
security card. Then, evading his watchful mother’s eye,
Tilloo made his way to the forbidden passage.
A metal door barred his entry. But Tilloo had watched
his father slip the magic card into a slot. He did the
same... and the door opened noiselessly . A well-lit passage
seemed to beckon him.
Snatching the card which had come out of another slot
in the wall, Tilloo started his march along a gentle upward
slope—for the passage led from the underground habitat
to the surface of the planet. Tilloo looked forward to seeing
the sun (if it was daytime) or the stars (if it was night) about
which he had heard and read so much.
But alas, that  wasn’t to be!
Tilloo had underestimated the security arrangements.
Invisible mechanical devices had already detected and
photographed the small intruder, sent his picture to the
Central Bureau where it was thoroughly checked... And
before he had advanced ten paces a strong hand fell heavily
on his shoulder. Gently but firmly he was escorted by the
siesta: short rest or nap after lunch habitat: shelter or home detected: found
out escorted: taken or led
Reprint 2024-25
46
An Alien Hand
security staff back home to an anxious and angry mother.
While he was being scolded he received help from an
unexpected quarter.
“Let me explain to him, darling!” said his father who
had just got up. “If he is properly briefed, he will not do
such a thing again.” He started to explain.
“Listen, Tilloo! I work on a surface where an ordinary
person cannot survive because the air is too thin to breathe
and where the temperature is so low that you would
freeze to death.”
“But, Daddy, how do you manage to survive?”
“Because I go well-equipped, in a special suit with a
reservoir of oxygen. I can keep warm and my boots are
specially designed to make it easy for me to walk on the
surface. What’s more, I’ve been trained to survive and work
on the surface.
“There was a time when our forefathers lived on the
surface quite naturally. Indeed they did so for millions of
years. But times changed. The very sun, which had provided
us with sustenance, turned hostile. It changed only slightly
but the change was sufficient to upset the balance of nature
on this planet.
“First the birds became extinct. The animals followed.
The fish couldn’t bear it anymore either. We managed to
survive only because of our superior technology, but we
were forced to live underground under artificial conditions.
Thanks to solar energy, we can generate sufficient power
to make our life comfortable. But the machines which make
this possible must always be in good working condition.
Some of them are on the surface—I belong to the team
whose responsibility it is to keep watch on them and to
service them.”
briefed: told or informed
Reprint 2024-25
Page 4


Before you read
Have you heard of the Viking Mission to Mars?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Viking
Mission to Mars was composed of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and
Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The primary
objectives were to obtain images and samples of the Martian surface
and soil and search for any possible signs of life. Viking 1 was launched
on 20 August 1975 and arrived at Mars on 19 June 1976. Viking 2
was launched on 9 September 1975 and entered Mars’ orbit on
7 August 1976.
Besides taking photographs and collecting other science data on
the Martian surface, the two landers conducted three biology
experiments to look for possible signs of life. As of now, there is no
clear evidence of the presence of living microorganisms in the soil
near the landing sites.
Now read the story.
Tilloo and his parents live beneath the surface of a planet
under artificial conditions.
Tilloo has heard and read about the sun and the stars. He
has never seen them.
Tilloo’s father goes to work through a secret passage, and
Tilloo wants to know all about it.
Reprint 2024-25
45
An Alien Hand
“TILLOO! How often have you been told not to go that way?”
“But why does Daddy go there every day?”
“Because that’s his job, Tilloo!”
‘That way’ was an underground passage. Tilloo’s father
went every day for work along that passage. And every day
he came back from that direction. What lay at the end of
that forbidden route? Not only Tilloo, but a great majority
of the community would have liked to know. Tilloo’s father
was one of the select few permitted to go that way. The
above conversation invariably took place between Tilloo
and his mother whenever he insisted on following his father.
Today, however, was different. Tilloo’s father was enjoying
a siesta at home and Tilloo managed to get hold of his
security card. Then, evading his watchful mother’s eye,
Tilloo made his way to the forbidden passage.
A metal door barred his entry. But Tilloo had watched
his father slip the magic card into a slot. He did the
same... and the door opened noiselessly . A well-lit passage
seemed to beckon him.
Snatching the card which had come out of another slot
in the wall, Tilloo started his march along a gentle upward
slope—for the passage led from the underground habitat
to the surface of the planet. Tilloo looked forward to seeing
the sun (if it was daytime) or the stars (if it was night) about
which he had heard and read so much.
But alas, that  wasn’t to be!
Tilloo had underestimated the security arrangements.
Invisible mechanical devices had already detected and
photographed the small intruder, sent his picture to the
Central Bureau where it was thoroughly checked... And
before he had advanced ten paces a strong hand fell heavily
on his shoulder. Gently but firmly he was escorted by the
siesta: short rest or nap after lunch habitat: shelter or home detected: found
out escorted: taken or led
Reprint 2024-25
46
An Alien Hand
security staff back home to an anxious and angry mother.
While he was being scolded he received help from an
unexpected quarter.
“Let me explain to him, darling!” said his father who
had just got up. “If he is properly briefed, he will not do
such a thing again.” He started to explain.
“Listen, Tilloo! I work on a surface where an ordinary
person cannot survive because the air is too thin to breathe
and where the temperature is so low that you would
freeze to death.”
“But, Daddy, how do you manage to survive?”
“Because I go well-equipped, in a special suit with a
reservoir of oxygen. I can keep warm and my boots are
specially designed to make it easy for me to walk on the
surface. What’s more, I’ve been trained to survive and work
on the surface.
“There was a time when our forefathers lived on the
surface quite naturally. Indeed they did so for millions of
years. But times changed. The very sun, which had provided
us with sustenance, turned hostile. It changed only slightly
but the change was sufficient to upset the balance of nature
on this planet.
“First the birds became extinct. The animals followed.
The fish couldn’t bear it anymore either. We managed to
survive only because of our superior technology, but we
were forced to live underground under artificial conditions.
Thanks to solar energy, we can generate sufficient power
to make our life comfortable. But the machines which make
this possible must always be in good working condition.
Some of them are on the surface—I belong to the team
whose responsibility it is to keep watch on them and to
service them.”
briefed: told or informed
Reprint 2024-25
47
An Alien Hand
“Daddy, can I join the team when I grow up?”
“Of course, if you want to,” said his father.
“But for that you must be a good boy and do as your
parents tell you.” His mother had, as usual, the last word.
1. How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‘forbidden passage’?
2. What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his
underground home?
3. Why did Tilloo’s father advise him not to try to reach the surface
of the planet?
4. What changes had occurred, which forced people to live in
underground homes?
The big TV screen in the Control Room shows an alien
spacecraft.
The question whether there is life on other planets
exercises everybody’s mind.
The President of the Central Committee is about to make
an important statement.
Next day when Tilloo’s father went to work, he found
the Control Room full of excitement. People were crowded
round the big TV screen. It showed a dot in an otherwise
clear background.
“It isn’t a star—for it’s changing its position. Our
computer has given a trajectory for this ‘thing’. It’s heading
towards us.” The Supervisor of the last shift explained.
“A spacecraft?” Tilloo’s father asked. By now he was
joined by his teammates on the new shift.
“So we think; but it needs watching.”
Reprint 2024-25
Page 5


Before you read
Have you heard of the Viking Mission to Mars?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Viking
Mission to Mars was composed of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and
Viking 2, each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The primary
objectives were to obtain images and samples of the Martian surface
and soil and search for any possible signs of life. Viking 1 was launched
on 20 August 1975 and arrived at Mars on 19 June 1976. Viking 2
was launched on 9 September 1975 and entered Mars’ orbit on
7 August 1976.
Besides taking photographs and collecting other science data on
the Martian surface, the two landers conducted three biology
experiments to look for possible signs of life. As of now, there is no
clear evidence of the presence of living microorganisms in the soil
near the landing sites.
Now read the story.
Tilloo and his parents live beneath the surface of a planet
under artificial conditions.
Tilloo has heard and read about the sun and the stars. He
has never seen them.
Tilloo’s father goes to work through a secret passage, and
Tilloo wants to know all about it.
Reprint 2024-25
45
An Alien Hand
“TILLOO! How often have you been told not to go that way?”
“But why does Daddy go there every day?”
“Because that’s his job, Tilloo!”
‘That way’ was an underground passage. Tilloo’s father
went every day for work along that passage. And every day
he came back from that direction. What lay at the end of
that forbidden route? Not only Tilloo, but a great majority
of the community would have liked to know. Tilloo’s father
was one of the select few permitted to go that way. The
above conversation invariably took place between Tilloo
and his mother whenever he insisted on following his father.
Today, however, was different. Tilloo’s father was enjoying
a siesta at home and Tilloo managed to get hold of his
security card. Then, evading his watchful mother’s eye,
Tilloo made his way to the forbidden passage.
A metal door barred his entry. But Tilloo had watched
his father slip the magic card into a slot. He did the
same... and the door opened noiselessly . A well-lit passage
seemed to beckon him.
Snatching the card which had come out of another slot
in the wall, Tilloo started his march along a gentle upward
slope—for the passage led from the underground habitat
to the surface of the planet. Tilloo looked forward to seeing
the sun (if it was daytime) or the stars (if it was night) about
which he had heard and read so much.
But alas, that  wasn’t to be!
Tilloo had underestimated the security arrangements.
Invisible mechanical devices had already detected and
photographed the small intruder, sent his picture to the
Central Bureau where it was thoroughly checked... And
before he had advanced ten paces a strong hand fell heavily
on his shoulder. Gently but firmly he was escorted by the
siesta: short rest or nap after lunch habitat: shelter or home detected: found
out escorted: taken or led
Reprint 2024-25
46
An Alien Hand
security staff back home to an anxious and angry mother.
While he was being scolded he received help from an
unexpected quarter.
“Let me explain to him, darling!” said his father who
had just got up. “If he is properly briefed, he will not do
such a thing again.” He started to explain.
“Listen, Tilloo! I work on a surface where an ordinary
person cannot survive because the air is too thin to breathe
and where the temperature is so low that you would
freeze to death.”
“But, Daddy, how do you manage to survive?”
“Because I go well-equipped, in a special suit with a
reservoir of oxygen. I can keep warm and my boots are
specially designed to make it easy for me to walk on the
surface. What’s more, I’ve been trained to survive and work
on the surface.
“There was a time when our forefathers lived on the
surface quite naturally. Indeed they did so for millions of
years. But times changed. The very sun, which had provided
us with sustenance, turned hostile. It changed only slightly
but the change was sufficient to upset the balance of nature
on this planet.
“First the birds became extinct. The animals followed.
The fish couldn’t bear it anymore either. We managed to
survive only because of our superior technology, but we
were forced to live underground under artificial conditions.
Thanks to solar energy, we can generate sufficient power
to make our life comfortable. But the machines which make
this possible must always be in good working condition.
Some of them are on the surface—I belong to the team
whose responsibility it is to keep watch on them and to
service them.”
briefed: told or informed
Reprint 2024-25
47
An Alien Hand
“Daddy, can I join the team when I grow up?”
“Of course, if you want to,” said his father.
“But for that you must be a good boy and do as your
parents tell you.” His mother had, as usual, the last word.
1. How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‘forbidden passage’?
2. What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his
underground home?
3. Why did Tilloo’s father advise him not to try to reach the surface
of the planet?
4. What changes had occurred, which forced people to live in
underground homes?
The big TV screen in the Control Room shows an alien
spacecraft.
The question whether there is life on other planets
exercises everybody’s mind.
The President of the Central Committee is about to make
an important statement.
Next day when Tilloo’s father went to work, he found
the Control Room full of excitement. People were crowded
round the big TV screen. It showed a dot in an otherwise
clear background.
“It isn’t a star—for it’s changing its position. Our
computer has given a trajectory for this ‘thing’. It’s heading
towards us.” The Supervisor of the last shift explained.
“A spacecraft?” Tilloo’s father asked. By now he was
joined by his teammates on the new shift.
“So we think; but it needs watching.”
Reprint 2024-25
48
An Alien Hand
A spacecraft? Where from? The solar system wasn’t
known to have any life anywhere else except on their planet.
Tilloo’s father recalled the ancient days recorded in the
archives at the Central Bureau when their ancestors had a
well-developed space programme and had searched the
solar system with manned and unmanned spacecraft and
found that they were indeed ‘alone’. Now, in the days of
energy shortage and underground life, they had no space
programme. They could only watch impotently from their
vantage point. Who were these strangers?
The conference room in the Central Bureau was so
quiet that an outsider would have thought it was empty.
Far from it. It was full to capacity but the members
of the Central Committee were unusually quiet. They
knew that the President was going to make a momentous
announcement.
“Colleagues! I will give you the report as I have it. While
1 speak there may be a change in the situation,” the
President paused to get his papers in order and then
continued. “Two spacecraft are approaching us. One is in
fact orbiting our planet while the other is still far away. We
guess that they are coming from our neighbouring planet.
How should we react? Number One, your views please.”
Number One was in charge of defence. He was known
for his courage and wisdom. “Sir, if we wish we can totally
destroy these spacecraft with our missiles. But that won’t
make us any wiser. We do not have the capacity to render
these craft unoperational in space; but should they land
we can render them ineffective anytime we choose. Our
reports say that they do not contain living beings, they only
have instruments.”
“Number Two, your opinion please,” the President asked
the scientist on the committee.
“I recommend non-interference and passive observation.
Since we do not know the power of the senders of these
Reprint 2024-25