Chapter 9: The Book That Saved the Earth (The Book That Saved the Earth)

Noodle is polite and uses flattering titles, such as "your Intelligence", "your Brilliance" and "your Cleverness". He never says outright that Think-Tank is wrong. He presents his corrections as small, unimportant thoughts: "I beg your pardon, but an insignificant bit of data floated into my mind about those sandwiches", and "Please excuse me, your Brilliance, but a cloudy piece of information is twirling around in my head." He then states what he remembers (that Earthlings opened the sandwiches and watched them, instead of eating or listening to them), and leaves Think-Tank to "clarify" it. Think-Tank then takes the credit and announces that it was his own idea, which keeps his pride undamaged and the crew on the right track.

By humbly calling his corrections "insignificant" bits of data and letting Think-Tank take the credit.

Sample answer. I would also be respectful, because Think-Tank is the commander and is quick to get angry. But I would be more direct about serious errors, because wrong decisions could put the whole crew in danger. I would first say politely that I had some information that might help, and give the facts clearly and calmly, for example by saying that the Earthlings were seen opening the objects and not eating them. If he refused to listen, I would respectfully request him to check the evidence once more before issuing an order.

Sample answer. Electronic media such as e-books, the internet and audio-books have become very popular, and many people now read news, notes and even novels on screens. But books cannot be done away with altogether. A book does not need a battery or a network, it is easy on the eyes, and reading it needs concentration. Books are also a lasting record of knowledge, and many people enjoy their touch and feel. Electronic media and books can exist side by side, each serving a purpose.

Sample answer. Books are called man's best companion because they are always available, never get tired or angry, and give us knowledge, comfort and company whenever we need them. They take us to new places and times, teach us values and inspire us.

My favourite book is the Panchatantra. It is a collection of animal stories, each of which ends with a lesson. I like it because the stories are lively and funny, and the clever animals show how wisdom, friendship and presence of mind help in difficult situations. Every time I read it, I learn something new about how to deal with people. (Students may write about any book of their own choice.)

Think-Tank misunderstands the rhymes in the following ways.

1. From "Mistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow?" he decides that Earthlings have "discovered how to combine agriculture and mining" and can grow crops of silver, cockle shells and even high explosives.
2. From "Hey diddle diddle! The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon", he concludes that Earthlings have taught their domesticated animals "musical culture and space techniques", that even their dogs have a sense of humour and that they may launch "an interplanetary attack of millions of cows".
3. From "Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall", he sees that the picture of Humpty Dumpty looks like himself, and believes that "Had a great fall!" means that the Earthlings plan to capture Mars Central Control and him.

Even before this, he and the crew thought books were sandwiches or hats, and the library a refreshment stand or haberdashery.

Sample answer for the personal part: Once I thought my friend was ignoring me because she did not reply to my greeting. Later I learnt that she had not heard me. I asked her politely and we laughed about it. Talking openly clears most misunderstandings.

Sample answer. No, English is surely not the language of the Martians. The play is written in English so that readers and the audience can understand it. Nobody knows the language of aliens, if they exist. It could be a spoken language quite unlike ours, or it could be based on signals, light, sounds or electronic beeps, or even on thoughts. The play itself suggests that the Martians cannot read Earth's books at all, which shows that their language and writing are very different from ours.