A. Choose the correct answer.

(18 marks)

1. The Million-Year Picnic' is a story about:

a. enjoying a fishing trip.
b. going on a vacation.
c. beginning a new life.

[Answer] c

2. The children were _____ to see the dead cities.

a. excited
b. curious
c. scared

[Answer] a

3. Dad’s fear was that:

a. someone would follow them.
b. the rocket would explode.
c. they would not find a place to live on Mars.

[Answer] a

4. The first dead city was not chosen because:

a. it was not big enough.
b. it was built of wood.
c. they wanted to see other cities.

[Answer] c

5. Timothy did not cry about leaving Earth because:

a. it did not matter to him.
b. he was being brave for his brothers.
c. he loved the Martian city.

[Answer] b

6. Dad said they were lucky because:

a. their rocket reached Mars.
b. they were able to escape from Earth.
c. Dad found a rocket.

[Answer] a

7. Who are Timothy’s brothers?

a. William and Thomas
b. Robert and Thomas
c. Robert and Michael
 [Answer] c

8. The family decided to live in the __________ city they passed.

a. first
b. fifth
c. sixth

[Answer] c

9. Michael was actually __________ about leaving Earth behind.

a. relieved
b. sad
c. thrilled

[Answer] b

10. In When I Heard the Learned Astronomer, the speaker is listening to a lecture on ___________.
a. astrology
b. astronomy
c. astrophysics

[Answer] b

11. In the poem When I Heard the Learned Astronomer, other than the speaker, the audience
__________ the lecturer.
a. jeered at
b. celebrated
c. cheered

[Answer] c

12. The speaker left the lecture-room ________.

a. swiftly
b. quietly
c. slowly

[Answer] b

13. In the story, Cosmos is a ____________ .

a. person
b. computer
c. star

[Answer] b

14. A nano second is ____________ .

a. one-hundredth of a second
b. one-millionth of a second
c. one-thousand-millionth of a second

[Answer] c
15. Cosmos sketched a _________ in the middle of Eric’s sitting room.
a. star
b. frame
c. window

[Answer] c

16. Complete the line: Where knowledge is _______.

a. gained
b. free
c. fair

[Answer] b

17. What breaks up the world?

a. armed conflict
b. differences of opinion
c. narrow domestic walls

[Answer] c

18. What is freedom compared to?

a. life
b. sacrifice
c. heaven

[Answer] c

B. Answer these questions. (31 marks)

1. Why do you think Timothy’s mother brought up the fishing idea, and not his father?

[Answer] Mother brought up the fishing idea and not Timothy’s father because it would seem
more natural and believable if it came from mother.

2. Why was Dad frightened when he mistook a bird for a rocket?

[Answer] Father was afraid that if it was a rocket, then they were followed by men from Earth.
He did not want to be followed.

3. Was the family really on vacation? Write the clues from the story The Million-Year Picnic.

[Answer] No, the family wasn’t really on vacation. They had come to Mars permanently. These
clues tell us so:
a. Timothy remembered the night before they left Earth, the hustling and hurrying, the rocket
that Dad had found somewhere, somehow.
b. A long way to go for a vacation, but Timothy said nothing.
c. “Oh, we just blew up our rocket, is all,” said Timothy.
 4. Why was Dad pleased to see that the Martian city was dead?

[Answer] The plan father had was to begin a new life and a new human settlement on Mars. He
was pleased that the Martian city was dead because a community of living Martians would make
it difficult for them to live there peacefully.

5. "I’ll show you some Martians, all right," Dad said. Who do you think were the Martians Dad
was referring to? Why do you think so?

[Answer] The Martians Dad referred to were themselves. Mother said that Martians were a dead
race, which means there could not be any native Martian alive. Dad referred to themselves as
Martians because they had come to live on Mars permanently.

6. How does Timothy feel when he first lands on Mars with his family?

[Answer] Timothy thinks it is suspicious that the family had to come so far for a vacation, and
that after landing on a new planet, the first thing they do is set out on a fishing trip. He also
remembers that his family had to leave Earth in a hurry. He realizes there is more to the trip
than his parents are telling the boys, but does not press them for details immediately.

7. Describe Dad’s actions after the explosions.

[Answer] As soon as the explosions were heard, Dad looked up sharply and urged the boat
faster. Then, he swerved the boat, cut speed, and ducked the craft into a small branch canal and
under an ancient, crumbling stone dock. When the boat came to a stop, he twisted around to see
if the ripples on the canal would give away their hiding place. Only when he saw the water lines
settling did he relax.

8. How was Dad different with the boys once he felt they were not being followed on Mars, by men
from Earth?

[Answer] On Mars, to the boys it felt as if Dad was paying closer attention to them. He talked
very quietly and gently to them, when in the past he had been brisk, distant, and removed from
them. Now, he patted them on the head with just a word and they felt it. He was also trying to
make the sudden change easier for them. He asked the boys to pick a city to live in and told them
that all of it was for them. When he realized that Timothy was more observant than the others, he
took him into confidence and told him how he had been planning their trip for a long time so the
evil men could not hurt them.

9. Where do you think the speaker is at the beginning of the poem When I Heard the Learned
Astronomer?

[Answer] Accept any logical answer. Suggested answer: The speaker might be in a class or a
lecture hall. The poem mentions ‘lecture-room’, so the speaker might be in a university class.

10. What does the astronomer use to give the lecture? How does the audience react to it?

[Answer] The astronomer uses proofs, figures, charts and diagrams to give the lecture. The
astronomer is greeted with ‘much applause’ during his lecture.

11. Why do you think the speaker became 'tired and sick' listening to the lecture in the poem When I
Heard the Learned Astronomer?
 [Answer] The speaker got ‘tired and sick’ listening to the lecture because he was bored and not
interested in the lecture. He didn’t find the lecture appealing.

12. Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars…Why does the speaker do this in the poem When I
Heard the Learned Astronomer?

[Answer] The speaker looks up ‘in perfect silence at the stars’ because he finds a deeper sense of
connection and understanding in the direct experience of nature, as opposed to the analytical
approach presented in the astronomer’s lecture. This act of looking up at the stars reflects a
moment of quiet thought in contrast to the complex scientific data presented in the lecture.

13. How does the poem When I Heard the Learned Astronomer serve to highlight the difference
between experience and information?

[Answer] The lecture, with all the scientific data and analysis, is information. The speaker
becomes bored and tired with so much information.
The second part of the poem shifts to the speaker’s personal experience of stepping outside and
looking up ‘in perfect silence at the stars’. The speaker feels a connection with nature when he
experiences it directly. This shows the difference between information and experience.

14. How is the speaker’s expectation of the learning experience different from reality in the poem
When I Heard the Learned Astronomer?

[Answer] The speaker, who is in awe of the stars and believes the night sky to be almost magical,
expects to be amazed by the lecture. Instead, the lecturer uses logic, by means of theory,
numbers, charts and diagrams to explain the night sky. The speaker feels disillusioned by this, as
if the magical stars have become reduced to mathematical numbers.

15. In the poem When I Heard the Learned Astronomer, what does the speaker do to make
themselves feel better? Why?

[Answer] The speaker becomes bored after listening to the lecture. To make himself feel better,
he leaves the room quietly and wanders outside in the dark, looking up at the stars from time to
time, to remind himself of their magical existence.

16. How does the speaker comment on the limitations of scientific knowledge in When I Heard the
Learned Astronomer? Provide examples from the poem to support your answer.

[Answer] The speaker brings out the limitations of scientific knowledge by contrasting the
impersonal, analytical approach of the lecture hall with the interesting, experiential
understanding of nature. The speaker attends a lecture by a learned astronomer, who presents
facts, figures, and charts to explain the mysteries of the stars and universe. The astronomer’s
presentation is characterized by its reliance on factual data and logical explanations, which the
poet portrays as detached and clinical.
Example:“Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself, / In the mystical moist night-air,
and from time to time, / Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.” Here, the speaker’s departure
from the lecture hall symbolizes a disinterest of the astronomer’s analytical approach. Instead,
he seeks a more profound connection with the universe through direct experience and
contemplation.
17. How can we infer that Cosmos loves being praised and complimented? Give evidence from the
story 'George’s Secret Key to the Universe'.

[Answer] Cosmos loves being praised and complimented because he agrees to show George how
a star is born when Eric admits that he is the most impressive computer they have ever seen.

18. Why does Eric call Cosmos 'you ridiculous machine'? Is Cosmos really being ridiculous?

[Answer] Eric is a little irritated when Cosmos refuses to show George how a star is born. So, he
calls him ridiculous. But Cosmos is not ridiculous at all. He reminds Eric that George needs to
take the Oath first.

19. What caught George’s eye when he looked at the slice of space through the window? Why did he
notice it?

[Answer] When Cosmos created a window into space, George noticed that the bottom corner of
the window was a patch of total darkness, where not a single star shone. The absence of stars in
that corner caught George’s eye.

20. What happened to the particles in the giant space cloud?

[Answer] The particles in the giant space cloud were moving around, and some were joining
together to form huge lumps of matter. These great lumps spun round and round, gathering even
more particles. These spinning lumps did not get bigger as more particles fused with them, but
instead they got smaller and smaller. As these lumps shrank, they began to become hotter and
started to glow with a dim light.

21. What is a nuclear fusion reaction?

[Answer] When a huge amount of gas and dust combines and shrinks to become dense and hot,
the particles in the middle of the ball are so pressed together that they start to fuse or join up,
releasing an enormous amount of energy. This is called a nuclear fusion reaction.

22. What happens to a star after the nuclear fusion reaction is complete?

[Answer] After the nuclear fusion reaction is complete, the outer layers of these gas balls are
thrown off, and the rest is transformed into a star.

23. How does George meet Eric and Annie?

[Answer] George’s pet wanders off and he enters what he think is an abandoned house to find it.
He discovers that the house is not abandoned and that a girl called Annie lives there with her
father, Eric. Eric is a scientist and takes to George, who is fascinated by many interesting things
in the clutter of books and papers in the house, especially Eric’s special computer, Cosmos.

24. Describe Eric’s computer, Cosmos.

[Answer] Eric’s computer, Cosmos, was small and glossy. It looked powerful and neat—the sort
of computer one might find on a spaceship. Cosmos spoke in a mechanical voice; but that was
not the strange thing about it—it seemed to have feelings and became offended when George was
not introduced to it. Cosmos also had a very confident personality, calling itself the most
intelligent computer in the world, although it seemed aware that it would one day become
 obsolete. Cosmos was also able to draw a window on the Universe that allowed Eric to teach
George the lifecycle of a star.

25. What did George notice about the spinning lumps inside the dark cloud?

[Answer] George noticed that the spinning lumps weren’t getting bigger—instead, they seemed
to be getting smaller, as though something was squeezing them and making them as small as
possible. As it shrank, the lump became hotter and hotter—so hot that George could feel the heat
from where he sat on the sofa. Then, the lump started to glow with a dim but frightening light.

26. What is 'dead habit'? Why has it been compared to a 'dreary desert'?

[Answer] ‘Dead habit’ refers to outdated traditions, beliefs and customs that have lost their
relevance, purpose and usefulness to the people or to a community. It has been compared to a
‘dreary desert’ because, like a desert, dead habits are not useful or helpful.

27. Why has the speaker described the narrow walls as 'domestic? What effect do these narrow walls
have on the world?

[Answer] The narrow walls have been described as ‘domestic’ because the speaker is referring
to divisions inside Indian society.
These narrow walls keep people from uniting with each other. By separating people based on
caste, language, race, ethnicity, etc., these walls divide the world from the inside.

28. How can we fight the evils of 'dead habit' and 'narrow domestic walls'?

[Answer] Accept any logical answer. Suggested answer: The evils of dead habit and narrow
walls can be fought with awareness and education. People need to be made aware of the harm
old habits and beliefs do.

29. Whom does the speaker address by 'thee' and 'my Father'?

[Answer] The speaker addresses God by ‘thee’ and ‘my Father’.

30. What does it mean to hold one’s head high? Why is this important?

[Answer] To hold one’s head high means to be confident and proud. This is important, because,
like the speaker says, only when there is freedom from fear can a person feel good about
themselves, and sure of who they are.

31. What contrast between ‘narrow’ and ‘wide’ does the speaker bring out in the poem Where the
Mind is Without Fear?

[Answer] The speaker first talks about the danger of the world being broken up by ‘narrow
domestic walls’. This refers to the isolation that can be caused by thinking only about one’s own
self-interest. This is contrasted later in the poem by the discussion of the mind being led by ‘ever-
widening thought and action’ which is the speaker’s hope for his country—that its people will
break free of the constraints imposed by selfish thought and move forward collectively towards
freedom.
C. Read the lines and answer the questions. (13 marks)

1. '…she looked backward towards her husband, and through his eye she saw what was ahead.'
a. Why did Mother look back towards her husband?
b. What does 'through his eye she saw what was ahead' mean?
c. What did Mother see? Did she also see what Timothy saw—a straight pencil line of canal?

[Answer] a. Mother looked towards her husband because she didn’t understand where they were
going or why.
b. Mother looked at her husband and she understood from his face and expression what he was
planning to do.
c. Mother saw Dad’s plan. She understood that they were not going to any particular place but
were actually hunting for a suitable settlement, a city to live in and make their own.

2. It was an Earth Man’s settlement, built of wood and already rotting into sawdust.
a. What does this comparison between the Earth Man’s settlement and the Martian cities tell us
about the extinct Martian civilisation?
b. Why do you think the Martians were a dead race? Discuss possible reasons with your partner
and write.

[Answer] a. The comparison between the Earth man’s settlement and other Martian cities tells
us that the extinct Martian race was far more advanced in technology and science than Earth
people. While the Earth man’s settlement was made of wood and was already rotting, the
Martian cities were grand in architecture with tall buildings, paved streets and fountains that
still worked.
b. Accept any logical answer. Suggested answer: It is not clear why the advanced Martian
civilisation was extinct. Maybe they died out because of climatic factors or maybe there was a
war, which wiped out their race. The Earth man’s settlement is proof that Earth people had come
to Mars once before. What might have happened between the Earth people and the Martians can
only be imagined. We cannot be certain about the reason for this extinction.

3. "Look, kids." Mother pointed one soft, long arm. "There’s a dead city."
a. Where is the family?
b. Are the kids frightened by the dead city?
c. How does Dad look when he sees the city?

[Answer] a. The family is on Mars.

b. No, they look at it eagerly.
c. Dad looks pleased to see the dead city.

4. "The rocket, of course. I’m getting jumpy. The rocket."

a. Who is getting jumpy?
b. What rocket is the speaker referring to?
c. What has happened to the rocket?

[Answer] a. Dad is getting jumpy.

b. Dad is referring to the rocket that brought the family to Mars.
c. The rocket has exploded/been blown up.
 5. When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them
a. Where is the speaker sitting?
b. What is the speaker being asked to measure?
c. How does the speaker feel about the task they have been given?

[Answer] a. The speaker is sitting in an astronomy lecture.

b. The speaker is being asked to measure the stars.
c. (Suggested ans) The speaker dislikes/is disinterested in the task.

6. Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself

a. What place did the speaker leave?
b. Why did the speaker wander off?
c. What did the speaker do next?

[Answer] a. The speaker left an astronomy lecture hall.

b. The speaker was bored by the lecture/felt tired and disconnected.
c. The speaker went outside and looked up at the stars.

7. "I am cleverer than Eric too."

a. Identify the sentence that tells us how clever Cosmos is.
b. How do we get to know that Cosmos is not forgetful like human beings?

[Answer] a. These sentences tell us how clever Cosmos is:

i. I can compute billions of numbers in a nanosecond.
ii. In less time than it takes you to say ‘Cosmos is great’, I can compute the life of planets, of
comets, of stars and of galaxies.
b. Cosmos proves he is not as forgetful as humans by reminding Eric that George had to take the
Oath before he is shown how a star is born.

8. "Good point; clever Cosmos…"

a. Who said these lines?
b. Who is Cosmos?
c. What 'good point' is Cosmos being praised for?

[Answer] a. Eric said these lines.

b. Cosmos is Eric’s computer.;
c. Cosmos has reminded Eric that George must take the Oath of the Scientist before he can be
taught about how stars are born.

9. “Wow!” said George. “Is that the Sun?”

a. Who is George speaking to?
b. Where is George? What is he looking at?
c. Is George really seeing the Sun?

[Answer] a. George is asking the question to Eric.;

b. George is sitting in Eric’s living room, looking out the window on the Universe that Cosmos
has drawn.;
c. George is not seeing the Sun, but he is seeing a recreation of the process that created the Sun.

10. Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
 a. Why does the speaker pray that heads are held high? Are they not high now?
b. How can one’s head be held high?
c. What does 'knowledge is free' mean? In what ways can knowledge become restricted?

[Answer] a. Holding your head high means to be proud of who you are. It refers to the dignity
you have as a person. The speaker prays for this because Indians did not have a dignified life
under the British rule.
b. One’s head can be held high when one is given respect, when his fundamental rights and
freedoms are respected and when there is equality among all people in a country.
c. ‘Knowledge is free’ means that everyone has equal access to education.
Suggested answer: Knowledge can become restricted if people are not given an equal
opportunity to avail the facilities that provide education, like schools, universities, etc. Any
discrimination can make education restricted.

11. Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
a. What do words 'from the depth of truth' mean?
b. Why does the speaker wish for this?
c. Why has 'striving' been described as 'tireless'?

[Answer] a. ‘Words from the depth of truth’ means being honest and truthful.
b. The speaker wishes for this because the British were not honest with and transparent to
Indians. They often tried to deceive Indians by keeping their real motives hidden.
c. ‘Tireless striving’ is another phrase for perseverance. It means that one should keep trying
despite challenges or obstacles.

12. Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
a. What has reason been compared to?
b. What poetic device is used in ‘dreary desert sand’?
c. What does the speaker mean by ‘dead habit’?

[Answer] a. A clear stream.

b. Alliteration.
c. The speaker is referring to superstition or blind faith.

13. Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

a. Who is the speaker?
b. What country is the speaker referring to?
c. What ‘heaven of freedom’ is the speaker referring to?

[Answer] a. The speaker/poet is Rabindranath Tagore.

b. The speaker is talking about India.
c. The speaker is referring to his wish that India become free from British rule.

D. Think and answer. (14 marks)

1. "How far are we going?" Robert splashed his hand. Dad exhaled. "A million years." Why does
Dad say 'a million years'? Why do you think this story is titled 'The Million-Year Picnic'?
 [Answer] ‘A million years’ signifies Dad’s plan to start a new civilisation on Mars. It symbolises
the family’s permanent settlement on Mars, and Dad’s hopes that their settlement would prosper
and survive for a very long time.
The story is titled ‘A Million-Year Picnic’ because, unlike usual picnics that last a day or so,
Dad has planned this ‘picnic’ or this visit to Mars to last forever. This is not a short visit, but a
permanent move to Mars. Hence, the ‘picnic’ is for a million years, signifying a very long time.

2.

Discuss:
a. Where is the irony in this comic strip?
b. Do you think the message in this comic has a parallel to the story you just read?

[Answer] a. The irony in this comic strip lies in the fact that although the speakers intend to start
afresh on a new planet and not repeat their mistakes, one of them has tossed an empty can of soft
drink on the ground, which clearly shows that the two people have not learnt from their mistakes
and have not yet become aware how irresponsible behaviour like this leads to environmental
damage.
b. Accept any logical answer. Suggested answer: There is a very strong parallel between this
comic and the story. Both of them show a new beginning on a different planet because Earth is
destroyed. The comic raises the important question if humans can start afresh and not repeat
their mistakes.

3. In the story The Million-Year Picnic, the boys get to own their own city. If you could own a
city—real or imaginary—what would it be? Write a description of the city. Include interesting
details like specific characteristics of the inhabitants, or a special language.

[Answer] Free response.

4. What, according to the speaker, is the best way to understand nature? (When I Heard the Learned
Astronomer)
 [Answer] The poem suggests that the best way to understand nature is by experiencing it. The
speaker’s experience when he steps outside of the lecture room and gazes at the stars tells us
that true understanding and appreciation of nature often come from experiencing it personally,
rather than through study.

5. Does the speaker respect the learned astronomer? Explain your view.

[Answer] While the speaker respects the astronomer’s intelligence and knowledge, he does not
respect his way of learning. He grows ‘tired and sick’ of listening to him.

6. The speaker believes that the stars are magical, with no explanation possible for their miraculous
existence. What do you consider a miracle? Is there an object or a situation that has ever seemed
miraculous to you?

[Answer] Suggested ans: A miracle can be defined as something that is unusual or unexpected,
the appearance of which makes a person feel lucky or special. Free response – Part II

7. "Nothing is for ever, George." What does this sentence mean? Is it true of all things? Can you
think of a popular saying that means the same?

[Answer] Suggested answer: This sentence means that nothing in this universe is permanent. I
think it is true of all things. Everything in this universe is subject to change, so there is nothing
that stays unchanged forever. A popular saying similar to this idea about change is: Change is
the only constant.

8. Which of these pictures describes the nuclear fusion reaction in the story George's Secret Key to
the Universeaccurately?

[Answer] a

9. In the story, Cosmos is a computer that has meaningful conversations with Eric, and feelings,
like a person. Do you think such computers exist today?

[Answer] Suggested ans: Yes, a version of such computers exist today. Siri and Alexa are
computer programs that can respond to human voices, acknowledge them, and understand voice
commands and perform them. Also, if you ask questions like, ‘Hey, Siri, how are you feeling
today?’, the program will respond meaningfully.

10. In the story, George has to take an oath to swear to use science only for good, and promise not to
use it to harm any person or the planet. Is this important? Can you think of one scientific
invention that was used to cause destruction?

[Answer] Suggested ans: Yes, it is important, because acquiring knowledge gives people power,
and they must be reminded to use this power only for good. One invention that caused
 widespread destruction was the atomic bomb that was developed by physicist J. Robert
Oppenheimer.

11. The speaker describes a world divided by 'narrow domestic walls'. What do you think 'domestic
walls' would stand for if we did not use 'narrow' before it?

[Answer] Accept any logical answer. Suggested answer: If we remove ‘narrow’ from the phrase
‘narrow domestic walls’, we will remove the negative connotation of the phrase. ‘Domestic
walls’ has no negative meaning. It would stand for the walls of defense a society or country has.
Domestic walls, like the walls of a house, only protect a country or society. It has a positive
connotation.

12. Tick the statement that best captures the central theme of the poem Where the Mind is Without
Fear.
a. the importance of political freedom and independence
b. the value of education and knowledge for personal growth
c. the vision of a society free from fear and prejudice
d. the significance of logical thinking in uniting people

[Answer] c

13. Tick the statements that support the meaning of Where tireless striving stretches its arms
towards perfection.
a. Continuous effort is necessary to achieve excellence.
b. Striving for perfection is an unending process.
c. Physical strength is necessary to achieve perfection.
d. Perseverance is a key value to gain success.

[Answer] a, b and d

14. It is often said that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. This suggests that we have the power to
tackle anything that makes us afraid.
Has there ever been a time when you were afraid of something? How did you conquer your fear,
or overcome the situation?

[Answer] Free response

Where the Mind is Without Fear
Rabindranath Tagore

In this poem, the speaker expresses his vision for an ideal country where people live freely
and fearlessly. He dreams of a place where everyone can hold their heads high with dignity
and where knowledge is available to all. The speaker longs for a world without divisions or
boundaries created by narrow-mindedness, such as divisions based on caste, religion or race,
which he calls “narrow domestic walls.”

The poem talks about the importance of truth and honesty. The speaker wishes for a society
where people always speak from the heart, and their words are sincere and meaningful. He
also believes that individuals should constantly strive for excellence and perfection, working
tirelessly towards self-improvement and progress.

In another powerful metaphor, the speaker compares reason and logical thinking to a clear
stream of water. He warns that this stream should not lose its way in the “dreary desert sand
of dead habit”, meaning that people should not be trapped by outdated traditions or habits that
stop progress. Instead, they should use reason and wisdom to move forward and grow as
individuals and as a society.

The speaker ends the poem by expressing his hope that the mind will always be guided
toward ever-expanding thoughts and actions. He prays to God, addressing Him as “My
Father”, asking for his country to wake up and reach this “heaven of freedom”. The poem
reflects the speaker’s deep desire for a free, united and enlightened India, where people live
without fear, ignorance and division.

Through this poem, the speaker urges people to aspire for a society built on courage, truth,
reason and continuous effort to better themselves and the world around them.

© Orient Blackswan Private Limited

George’s Secret Key to the Universe
Lucy and Stephen Hawking

“George’s Secret Key to the Universe” is an exciting story about a boy named George who
stumbles upon a world of science and adventure. It all begins when George enters what he
thinks is an abandoned house while looking for his pet. Inside, he meets Annie, a girl who
lives there, and her father, Eric, a scientist. Their house is full of books and papers, but the
most interesting thing George notices is Eric’s special computer, Cosmos.

Cosmos is no ordinary computer. It is extremely powerful and can talk! Eric introduces
George to Cosmos, and the computer explains that it can compute billions of numbers in a
second and knows almost everything about the universe. George is fascinated, but before he
can learn more, Cosmos insists that George must take an important Oath. The Oath promises
that George will use any scientific knowledge he learns only for good, and not for harmful or
selfish purposes. George agrees and reads the Oath aloud.

Once George takes the Oath, Cosmos opens a “window” to the universe. This window isn’t
like an ordinary one—it shows outer space in real-time! Through this magical window,
George is able to witness the birth of a star. Eric explains how stars are born from giant
clouds of dust and gas that gather together, becoming smaller and hotter, until they explode in
a burst of light, creating a new star. George watches in awe as the star begins to glow
brightly, and Eric further explains the process of nuclear fusion, which gives stars their
energy.

As George gazes at the star, he feels a mixture of wonder and excitement. He asks Eric if the
star would keep shining forever. Eric gently reminds George that nothing exists forever.

The story highlights George’s journey into the world of science, showing how curiosity and
learning can lead to exciting discoveries. At the same time, it teaches the importance of using
knowledge ethically. Through the adventure, George realizes that science isn’t just about
facts and figures—it’s about understanding the mysteries of the universe and using that
knowledge to make the world a better place.

© Orient Blackswan Private Limited

When I Heard the Learned Astronomer
Walt Whitman

“When I Heard the Learned Astronomer” is a poem by Walt Whitman that explores the
difference between learning through scientific information and experiencing the wonders of
the world firsthand. The poem begins with the speaker attending a lecture by a famous
astronomer. In this lecture, the astronomer explains the stars using facts, figures and
diagrams. The lecture is very detailed and full of scientific information. The audience seems
to appreciate the lecture as there is much applause for the astronomer.

However, as the lecture continues, the speaker starts to feel overwhelmed and uncomfortable.
The long lists of calculations and data make the speaker feel disconnected from the actual
beauty of the stars. Instead of feeling amazed by the knowledge, the speaker feels tired and
almost sick from too much information. The scientific way of explaining the stars does not
inspire the speaker; instead, it feels too technical.

Eventually, the speaker decides to leave the lecture room. They go outside, into the fresh
night air, and look up at the stars in the sky. In the peaceful silence of the night, the speaker
experiences the stars in a way that feels more meaningful than listening to the astronomer’s
lecture. The stars themselves, without any charts or calculations, fill the speaker with a sense
of wonder and awe. In that quiet moment, the speaker feels a deep connection to the universe
that was missing in the lecture hall.

Through this poem, Whitman shows us that while scientific knowledge is important, it’s not
the only way to understand the world. Sometimes, directly experiencing something—like
looking up at the stars—can be more powerful and fulfilling than learning about it through
facts and figures. The poem encourages us to find a balance between scientific learning and
personal experience, reminding us that both are valuable in different ways.

© Orient Blackswan Private Limited

The Million-Year Picnic
Ray Bradbury

In Ray Bradbury’s “The Million-Year Picnic”, a family embarks on what seems to be a

fishing trip on Mars. However, as Timothy, the eldest son, observes his parents closely, he
realises the trip is much more than just a vacation. The family has left Earth in a rocket amid
chaotic conditions, and they arrive on Mars with the intention of starting a new life.

Dad, who seems unusually calm yet thoughtful, steers the boat through Mars' canals. Along
the way, the family spots a dead Martian city, which interests the children but leaves Dad
with a sense of relief. As the family floats down the canal, Timothy thinks the vast supplies
of food and provision that they’ve hidden away, hinting that their stay will be long-term.

Suddenly, the sound of explosions erupts, and Dad quickly manoeuvres the boat to hide
themselves. But it turns out that Dad has blown up their rocket to prevent anyone from Earth
from finding them or forcing them to return. His actions confirm that the family has left Earth
for good, escaping its destruction and seeking refuge on Mars.

As they continue their journey, Dad asks the children to pick a Martian city to live in. After
passing several, the family chooses a large city where they decide to settle. The children are
thrilled, though Michael, the youngest, is initially upset by the idea of leaving Earth behind.
Dad reassures him, offering the entire Martian city to his sons, promising a fresh start for
their family.

In a quiet conversation with Timothy, Dad explains that their departure was carefully
planned. He had hidden a rocket for twenty years, preparing for the possibility of escaping
Earth’s collapse. Now on Mars, Dad tells Timothy that they have cut all ties to their old life,
ensuring that they can never return and that they will remain hidden from those who might
come looking for them.

© Orient Blackswan Private Limited