An Alien Hand Summary Class 7 English An Alien Hand

Introduction

The Viking Mission to Mars was an ambitious project undertaken by NASA, involving two spacecraft, Viking 1 and Viking 2. Each consisted of an orbiter and a lander, designed to explore the Martian surface and atmosphere. Launched in 1975, these spacecraft aimed to capture images, collect soil samples, and search for any signs of life on Mars. Despite thorough investigations, the mission concluded without finding clear evidence of living microorganisms on the Martian surface.

Summary 

The chief objectives of the Viking Mission to Mars were to get pictures and samples of soil to find out if there were signs of life there.

Tilloo and his parents lived beneath our planet under artificial conditions. They were not allowed to go on the surface for two reasons. The air was too thin to breathe and the temperature was very low. 

Tilloo's father was a part of that team. He used to go to work daily through a secret passage. But it was a forbidden route for the boy. Tilloo was curious to know about and see the sky. His mother would not let him go. 

That day 'I'illoo's father was enjoying a short sleep at home. Tilloo managed to pick up his security card. He went along the forbidden passage. The magic card helped him open the door. He marched along an upward slope. But he had underestimated the security arrangements. Invisible mechanical devices photographed him and sent his picture to the Central Bureau. Soon he was caught and sent back home.

Father decided to explain everything to the boy. He said that he could stay alive on the surface because he carried oxygen to keep himself warm. His special boots enabled him to walk easily. There was a time when their forefathers lived on the surface safely and naturally. But a small change of climate upset the balance of nature on that planet. All birds, fish and animals lost their exitence. Only man managed to stay alive in underground artificial conditions. They produced power from sunlight. Father's job was to keep the machines on the surface in working condition.

Next day Tilloo's father found a crowd watching the big TV screen. The computer showed something from the other planet heading towards them. It was a spacecraft. They wondered who the strangers in that craft were. 

The President made an announcement. It was reported that two spacecrafts were approaching them. They were to decide how to deal with them. Number One said that they could easily destroy those spacecrafts, but that would be unwise. He suggested that they should let them land. They were unmanned. They contained only instruments. 

Number two favoured the policy of wait and watch. They must not reveal their presence. Number three supported the views. 

Just then the news came that the first alien spacecraft had landed. Tilloo watched the funny thing on the TV screen from the Control Room. He noted some movement in it. A mechanical hand came out and touched the soil. Tilloo lost self control resistance. He pressed the red button. This created excitement. Father restored the red button to its neutral position. The mechanical hand stopped working. 

A press conference on the earth was held. A scientist told the press about sudden defect in mechanical hand. But it was made to work again. Soil samples were collected. But the scientists were in great disappointment. The Viking Mission found no signs of life on Mars.

Theme

The main theme of the story is curiosity and exploration. It highlights the innate human (and extraterrestrial) desire to discover the unknown and understand the universe. This theme is illustrated through Tilloo's curiosity about the surface world and the advanced technology his community uses to survive. Additionally, the story touches on themes of secrecy and the careful balance between caution and discovery, as the underground community must decide how to respond to the arrival of an alien spacecraft. The story also reflects on the broader theme of survival and adaptation in challenging environments, emphasizing the importance of technology and teamwork.

Difficult Words and Meanings

• Artificial - Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally.
• Siesta - A short rest or nap taken after lunch.
• Habitat - The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
• Detected - Discovered or identified the presence of something.
• Escorted - Guided or accompanied someone somewhere.
• Briefed - Informed or instructed about a situation or task.
• Sustenance - Food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment.
• Extinct - A species, family, or other larger group having no living members.
• Trajectory - The path followed by a projectile flying or an object moving under the action of given forces.
• Archives - A collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, institution, or group of people.
• Momentous - Of great importance or significance, especially in having a bearing on future events.
• Render - Cause to be or become; make.