Introduction: The Book that saved the Earth - Class 10 PDF Download

About the Author- Claire Bothe
Claire Bothe – A Short Biography

About the Author

Claire Boiko is a famous author of children's books. She excelled in the period—plays. Her main works include: ‘Plays and Programs for Boys and Girls’, ‘The Cry Baby Princess’, ‘Dramatised Parodies of Familiar Stories’ and ‘Children Plays for Creative Actors.’ 

INTRODUCTION

This is a science fantasy. This imaginary story is set in the twenty-fifth century. A Historian is giving a talk to the audience about the twentieth century and telling the audience that the twentieth century was often called the Era of the Books. Then she talks of the Martian invasion of the earth that took place in the year 2040, but, in fact, the invasion never took place. She 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 and they became friends.

Theme of the Story

The play ‘The Book that Saved the Earth’ is based on the theme that half-fed knowledge is always dangerous. It also tells how an old book of rhymes ‘Mother Goose’ 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 the twentieth century, five centuries back. The play begins with great and mighty Think-Tank with the people of Marks Central Control.
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’ believe all the tall claims. He is nothing more than an ignorant and haughty despot who relishes nothing but pure and simple, flattery and sycophancy. In the end, Think—Tanks stops the invasion on Earth and orders the complete evacuation of Mars.

WORD-MEANINGS 

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 
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 =talking contact (संचार संपर्क); manned = controlled by man (व्यक्ति द्वारा नियंत्रित); probe = search (योजना); ridiculous = ludicrous (हास्यास्पद); generous = kind-hearted (दयालु); insignificant = not important (तुच्छ) I 
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 
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 
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 
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 
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) 
writes illegibly (अस्पष्ट लिखना); magnificent = beautiful (सुन्दर); brilliance = brightness (चमक); unfold = open (खुला); stiffly = tightly (जोर से/कसकर) I 
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 
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
Chuckling = laughing lightly (हल्के-से हँसना); resumed = started again (फिर-से आरंभ करना) I