The Book that Saved the Earth | NCERT Class 10 English Footprint without Feet
Summary – The Book that saved the Earth
The play ‘The Book That Saved The Earth’ is full of imagination. In it, the different character like Think-Tank, Noodle, Oop, Omega etc. play as the Martian (creature from outer space) living beings, the time set of the play is 25th century .The play tell us in detail as how the book successfully saved the earth from Martian attack . Think-Tank who is the mightiest and the most brilliant among all the Martians is the commander – in – chief. Think-Tank conducts the manned space investigation in order to ask them their position. At this Think-Tank ask them to show him the place closely. In fact, they were in a library full of different books. But they fail to understand where they were. Then Think-Tank tries to show his intelligence and tells his crew that the thing in question was a sandwich. Then one of the crew members even eats the corner of a book to confirm the views of Think-Tank. After some time Noodle suggests Think-Tank that it was not for eating but for communication with ears. After some time Noodle again suggests Think-Tank that it was not for ear communication but for eye communication. Then they opened the books and try to read them. But they failed to understand the language. The Omega opens a big volume of ‘Mother Goose’ and ties to read it Noodle ask Think-Tank if the chemical department has given them the vitamins to increase intelligence and then read the sandwiches. As Oop starts reading the book of nursery rhymes to Think-Tank he feels trouble. He leaves the idea of invading. Instead, he tries to save himself from the invasion of the earthlings. He orders his crew to leave the earth at once and he himself runs to safety.
Extra Question Answers
Question 1: Do you think books are being replaced by the electronic media? Can we do away with books altogether?
Answer: Books are being replaced by the electronic media in a big way. Most of the children no longer read story books and prefer to watch television and use internet. Although textbooks are still there but they may soon be replaced by electronic version. Books have their own utility value because one can read a book at his own pace and a book does not need to be powered by electricity. But as the technology is advancing by every day, a time may come when books will become a thing of the past.
Question 2: Why are books referred to as a man’s best companion? Which is your favourite book and why? Write a paragraph about that book.
Answer: Books help us to learn a lot of things. They become our guide and friend. These are reasons, books are referred to as a man’s best companion. Malgudi Days; by R K Narayan is my favourite book. I love this book because the main characters in this book are children. The way child’s psychology has been explained in this book is what gives me pleasure while reading this book.
Question 3: Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time he corrects his mistakes. How does he manage to do that?
Answer: Noodle appears to be quite an expert at handling an arrogant boss. While correcting the mistakes, Noodle never gives a sense of inferiority to his boss. He is always correct but pretends that every right information comes from the ‘highly intelligent boss’.
Question 4: If you were in Noodle’s place, how would you handle Think-Tank’s mistakes?
Answer: I would follow in Noodle’s footsteps. It is never a right policy to annoy your boss, no matter how irritating the boss may be. I would have rectified Think-Tank’s mistakes as politely as Noodle did.