The Book that saved the Earth Summary Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 9

Key Points of the Story

• The Historian reveals that the Martian invasion of Earth in 2040 never occurred because one book prevented it.
• Think-Tank, the Martian Commander, intends to invade Earth and sends Omega, Iota, and Oop on a mission.
• The Martian crew arrives in a library and confuses books for sandwiches.
• Think-Tank misinterprets books as tools for visual communication.
• The crew reads nursery rhymes, which Think-Tank wrongly sees as Earth’s advanced technology and invasion strategies.
• In a panic, Think-Tank commands the invasion fleet to evacuate Mars and head for Alpha Centauri.
• What was the book, you ask? A grand encyclopedia? A book about rockets and missiles? A secret document from outer space? No, it was none of these.
• The Historian concludes that this misunderstanding stopped the invasion, and as you know, in the twenty-fifth century, five hundred years later, we Earthlings resumed contact with Mars and became very friendly with the Martians.

Detailed Summary

The story is set in the twenty-fifth century at the Museum of Ancient History on Earth, specifically in the Department of the Twentieth Century. The Historian begins by welcoming the audience and explaining the significance of books in the twentieth century. She introduces the story of the Martian invasion of 2040, which was prevented by a single book. Using a historiscope, she shows what happened.

The scene shifts to Mars Space Control, where Think-Tank, the Martian Commander-in-Chief, is preparing to invade Earth. He is assisted by Noodle and a space crew consisting of Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota, and Sergeant Oop. Think-Tank, with his inflated ego, orders Noodle to establish communication with the space probe headed to Earth.

The Martian crew lands in a library on Earth and is baffled by the books, mistaking them for sandwiches. Think-Tank, believing the books are food, orders Omega to eat one. She hesitates and passes the task to Iota, who then delegates it to Oop. Oop pretends to eat the book and complains about its dryness.

Noodle suggests that the "sandwiches" might be communication devices. Think-Tank orders the crew to listen to the books, but they hear nothing. He then decides they must be for visual communication and tells the crew to decode them. The crew reads nursery rhymes from a book, which Think-Tank misinterprets as advanced Earth technology and military strategies. For example, "Mistress Mary" is seen as a method to grow metals and explosives, and "Hey Diddle Diddle" suggests Earthlings have advanced space techniques and musical culture for animals.

The final nursery rhyme, "Humpty Dumpty," terrifies Think-Tank because he believes it describes his own downfall. Panicked, he orders an immediate retreat to Alpha Centauri and the evacuation of Mars. The scene returns to the Historian, who explains that the misunderstanding led to the prevention of the Martian invasion. She concludes by saying that Earth and Mars eventually became friends, and Mars learned to read, although they still avoid the book "Mother Goose."

Characters:

• Historian: Narrates the story and sets the scene.
• Think-Tank: The Martian Commander-in-Chief with a huge ego and an egg-shaped head.
• Noodle: Think-Tank’s assistant, who helps with communications.
• Captain Omega, Lieutenant Iota, Sergeant Oop: Members of the Martian space crew who explore the Earth library.

The story humorously illustrates how misunderstandings can lead to irrational decisions, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and communication.

Theme/ Message

Theme

• Misinterpretation and Fear: Misunderstandings can lead to unnecessary fear and irrational decisions.
• Knowledge and Understanding: Understanding and knowledge can prevent conflicts and foster cooperation.
• The Role of Books: Books are vital in reducing misunderstandings and conflicts by offering knowledge and context.

Message

• Value of Books: Books hold immense power and can influence events beyond imagination.
• Friendship Over Conflict: Misunderstandings should be resolved to turn potential conflicts into friendships.

Difficult Words

1. Musty: Having a stale smell.
2. Peevishly: Irritably.
3. Salutation: A gesture or utterance made as a greeting.
4. Prosaic: Ordinary, dull.
5. Disillusioned: Disappointed by someone or something previously respected or admired.
6. Explanatorily: Intended to explain.
7. Commanding: Impressive, authoritative.
8. Inflection: A change in the pitch of the voice.
9. Levity: Lightness of manner or speech, humor.
10. Haughtily: Arrogantly.
11. Decipher: To interpret or make out the meaning of.
12. Trifling: Of little value or importance.
13. Nuisance: An annoying person or thing.
14. Primitive: Basic or unsophisticated.
15. Pantomimes: Acts without speaking, using gestures