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    A Window On The Universe PDF

    Uploaded by

    Magali Abigail Valenzuela

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    A Winpow ON THE UNIVERSE “Tales of wonder are as old as the fils. Ever since seo sling began shee have been cles of gods ev, fn? hobpolin, rales ofthe nan the oon, the sa. Serounded. by che. great mystery of the niversy Inumankind ha soup o make ene ofall by ingenioos cxplanacons ad imaginative eas that range fe beyond ‘ohas can be een or heard oe touched. Scienceficion tories ae the ales of wonder for our ag Insead of winged horses witcher, 29d golden places, we have epascaf the minds of alien ceatares, and remote Planes lowe wil we deal wih aber efor nhabiing {human body of lamehing a wae aginst ws from out {pace Wil we go mad or Boome exines Beeuse ofthe trachines that we have intented, o will we be destroyed Upan aterod coding with Ect? These stories vend vs ‘eovelng through cine and pace, confronting us wth new Alangers new aneranis ae dlemas. Above all they enind ws hat haman Beings are only very sal pebles fms wey big beach “The English pot Tennyson once wets For I dipped into the fare, far at human eye could se, Saw the stow of the wold and all he wonder thet would be Se let wt dip or the are ~~ COxroxp Booxwoans CoLLECTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “The eior and publishes are grate fo permission ro se the Fllowing copsiht material “Who Can Replace « Man? from The Canopy of Time ‘yy Bruaw Ata, published by Faber & Faber La 1959. Conyeight © Bram Aldi 1959, Repriped by permision oF Gurts Brown Group Led ‘The Mache That Won the Wat’ by fake Aswov. Copyright © TB61 by Mercury Pras nc: From Nihal! snd other Stories by lane Aso. Reprinted by permsion ‘of Doubleday, + diviion of Baneim Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Ine "Zero Hout tom The brated Man by Ray Bran: Reprinted by permision of the Petes Fraser 8 Dunlop Group Led "The Hammer of God by ARTHUR C. Canes, Gest publish in Time, Fall 192. Repiced by permission of David Higham Astociats tad. “The Sound Machine from Someone Like Youty Roo ant pbs by Michal Joep Lad and Penguin Books Li, Reprinted by permison of Muay Polinges. “thuman Ue by Ptr K. Dick fom Second Varios Vole 2 of he Collected Stories of Philip K. Dich Reprinted by permission ofthe author and the auto's gens, Scoil Chichak Galen Literary Agency Inc, New York "Stich in Tine’ fom Consider Her Ways and Others by on Wrsass, published by Michael Joseph Lu 1961 Reprited by permission of David Higham Associates Led. “The ples ave made every fot to ace he copiht holders af the following stores and woud be pleased to et from thems “tes Good Life’ by Jenome Boy, repeat in Rest SP ‘our publahed by Faber & Faber Ltd 1960. “The Star Docs by Bx BOW, fst published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Since Pon, epi in Best. SF-Six published by Faber & Faber Lid 1966 “Toe wrron woul ik to thank Andy Sawyer ofthe Science Faton Foundation Collection, Univesty of Liverpool Libary for ily in reteaehing biographical information fn the authors sti vlume A Winpow ON THE UNIVERSE Short Stories ane Jennifer Bassett HG. Widdowson ‘Femi Bosett Eduardo H, Ayala Prot. de Inge eg, 250836 ‘Oxon Unvenstry Press as Eee ‘satenge ian ftamer ater at tea ys rane a il can ch pic Rai oe “Gina np ta) br ed ate See ‘pete ue Ps} cohen pccominnt arrovensiiy erect onmteecanea ‘ventiyheme gon bt Sonatas Oxrorp Bookworms ~CoLrrection~ Forewop “Tens of al kinds, incoding erry text ace used as dats for langage teaching, They are designed or adapted and pressed int service co exemplify the language and provide practice in reading. Thee are commendable pedagogic Porposs, They are not, however, what authors Gr readers fee sally have end. The reson we fend Something Js crus we fel the wrter ha something of icerest of sigiicanc wo say and we oly attend to the Language fo the exten hat Belps uo understand what hat might be: An important part of language ering knowing how ‘0 adopt this normal reader roe, how to ure Inga £0 scleve meanings of significance om, and 20 make ews ‘The purpose ofthe Oxford Bookworm Collection i cecourage students of English to adap his cole I offers samples of English Iangaage Action, snabeidged ad tnsimplie, which have been selacted and presented to induce enjoyment, and co develop = sensitivity to the Janguage through an appreciation of the ierarure: The ‘etenton isto simalate tudes Bd in Beton what Jane ‘Austen found "the mst thorough knowlege of but acre, the happiest delineation of vari, theese «ffosions of wit and humor conveyed tothe wor in the best choren language (Novthanger Abbey) HG, Widdowson Series Adve OxroRrD Bookworms ~CoLtection~ ‘Nooeof the tas as ben aid or simpli in any was ba ech vole conesns moter aod quesions #0 belp wet a thir udesanding 0 Before each sory 1 sahor bopeaphil nor on the suhoe + tn inoduction othe theme and haracers ofthe sary Ar ach ny SNores Some words and passin the text ate matt with an astern, and ‘planation for thse ate ge i the nts. The expessions sete ae ‘ul earl frees cbc ad it words ly ob fond in dctonaies. Orr diffu words ace nox explained, The beens to dbo mh be o foi stein too mach on he analy of pra Ieanings advo drape the eateral edn prc, Stadet shoud be “rcouragd by their engagement withthe ory anf prerl and react Inaning Foo context + Discossrow “Ths ae qunios on th wry’ thea acter designe to mle clisdacusionorto esnurg:theiadhidal madera Sn aboo he ary from diferent points of ew + Laxvnce Focws ‘Some of thse queton and aka cet he ede atnson optical {eatrsof langage we olathe ous on pci meanings thet sipubeance athe son ‘These te nugsion for cea wring scien, enoarage readers to plore or deep the thea ofthe soy sn anus imagine may + Questions rox Discussion on WarTiNe ‘The ae queens eometimes unde the beating “eas for Comparison Acti’ wihideas for casi or wiking which opal one ‘ nomber of more inthe volume. (Cunnenr Tenues From the Cradle othe Grave “The ye of Childhood ‘Gime Newer Pays And All for Lowe [A Window on the Universe ‘ATTagled Web Contents ‘Zeno Hour Ray Bradbury “Tue Stan Ducks Bi Brow Hunan Is Philip K Dick I's Goop Lire Jerome Baby ‘Tue Macsane Twat Won nie Wax esac Aatmow Wao Cay Reriace & Man? Bran Adie Seren IN TIME Job Wyrtbom “Tie Sound Macau Roalé Dahl ‘Th Hannesn oF Gon Avtiua ©. Clarke 1 m1 ZERO Hour Tue Aurion Ray Bradbury was bornis 1920in Miao, USA, and became 2 fullsime weer in 1983, Bis repuation as leading ‘wrt of science ftion was established with The Maton Chronic, series ofimerwoven oie soos ates 6) humans colonize Mars Another of i wellAnown works 1 the novel Fabrenbei 4S, which i sein a totalaian facare when books are burned beesoe ideas ure dangerous. ‘Thicwaslotermadeincoa fe byFangoie Trae Among Bradbury's many collections of short storie ate The arated Man, The Golden Applesofth Sum and TheDay IiRatned Forever. “Tue Stony Children bave eile imaginations. They can move besmeen fantasy and rely withou telling the difference between ther, Sometimes they invent imaginary foende wih whom they play and alk and aepue, as though ie were she most ara thing in he wold Pevbaps they ned hs Fredom ‘ofthe imaginacion ing a they do woe he inexphale ‘yranny of adler and estos Ta world tht is echaolepelly el-condent and at peice with ial, Mink plays happily with er find in font ofthe howe. Energeiand forceful she sere he cots in thei roles. Prom a window her mother mas, mused, tolerant. Uri ater a myetetous game, hough, with an aio urgeney about eno porpose not ite in keping wit the pescefl city afternoon ZERO HouR Obert bi erage cheesey ad kownin years, The cheapie iway ad staat the pen nm sbouing teach ater, dng hands Byigin cles climbing aging. Oven se rocke ew, sd ben cat ispeed yon he be chien layed ce, Sach fn, such emul jos such sibling and hey Mink tan nthe hous alia went. Fore sren ears sicwasloutanferongad defn Hermon Mts Mons bt teers yn out dearer ed tte pa od slr Ngee “evens Mink, what's going on" “The mont extig ge ee gpd Min piktaed ‘Slop and get your breathy si che mother ‘Nov mall pet Minsky aes things Mow? “Bo do't dn them dM Mor, “Thank yourthnk You! cd nk and boon! she was one en vstn Me ow srveed se Bing “What nae of he ame “vaso sid Mink. The dor dammed Increry aon the set chien rough out nines and forks and pokes and ld torepie and cat opener iret nneroting ct haha encour oly among the younger cen. The older one heen years and treed he afar and marched coral fon kes or Played «more digied veron of hideand ack on ir on Meunhis parnscame asain chromates Rep mencanetocopa te vecn eaten inhoues, cobs feng Zero How u television sets or hammer upon stubborn food-delivery tubes, The duc civilization passed and repassed the busy youngsters, jealous ofthe fierce energy of che wild tote, tolerantly amused at theit Aoutshings, longing to jon in themselves, “This and this and this’ sad Mink, instructing the others with thei assorted spoons and wrenches. ‘Do that, and bing shat over bere. Not Here, nny Right, Now, getback while fx thi" Tongue insect, face wrinkled in though, "Like that, See?” “Yayyyy? shouted the kids, Twelve-year-old Joseph Connors ran up. "Go away’ said Mink sraighe a his, ‘wanna ply,’ said Joseph. Cas’! said Mink Why not? "You'd jse make fun of “Honest, I woulda.” “No. We know you. Go away or well kick you? Another twelve-year-old boy whiered by mn lise motor skates. “Hey, Joe! Come on! Let them seis play! Joseph showed reluctance and a certain wistfulnes. want to play? he sai. "You're ol said Mink frm “Not that old said Joe sensibly “You'd only laugh and spoil the Invasion. ‘The hoy on the motor skates made a rade lip noise. ‘Come on, Joe! Them and their fairies! Nuts?” Joseph walked off slowly. He kept looking back, all down the block ‘Mink was already busy again. She made kind of appara with her gathered equipment. She had appointed another litle gis with «apad and pencilco rake down nots in painful slow seribbles, Their voices rose and el inthe wacm sunlight 2 AWindow on the Univerze All around them the city hurumed. The streets were lined with good green and peaceful ees. Oly the wind made confit across the ity, acrossthe country, acossthe continent. Ina thousand other ices there were trees and children and avers, business mien in| their quer ofices taping thei voices, or watching tcevisors. Rockets hovered ike darning ncedlesin he blue sky. There was the universal ‘quiet conceit and easiness ofmen accustomed to peace, quite certain there would never be trouble again. Arm in arm, men allover earth were united front. The perfect weapons were held in equal trast byallnations. situation of incredibly beautiful balance had een brought about, There were no tricors among mien, no unhappy ‘ones, no disarunted ones; cherefore the world was bused upon 2 sable ground. Sunlight ilumined half the world and the trees rows ina tide of warm air. -Mink's mother, fom her upstairs window, gazed down ‘The children, She looked upon them and shook her head. Wel, they’deat wel sleep well and be in school on Monday. Bless theit vigorous lie bodies. She listened. ‘Mink talked earnestly to someone near the rose bush ~chough there was no one ther. ‘These odd children, And the ice girl, what washer name? Anna? ‘Anna took notes ona pad. Fist, Mink asked the ose bush a question, then called che answer to Ana. “Triangle said Mink. “What's tri said Anna with difficulty, “angle?” “Never mind said Mink. “How you spell tasked Anna “Teri spelled Mink slowly, chen snapped, ‘Oh, spelt yourself” She went on to other words. ‘Beam shes haven't gor tri’ said Ana, ‘angle down yet” "Well, hurry, huey?” ered Mink, -Mink's mother leaned out of the upstairs window. “A-ng- Zero Hour she speed down at Anna. "Oh, thanks, Mrs Mortis’ said Ana ‘Cercainly,' Said Mink’s mother and withdrew, laughing, to dust the hal with an electro-duster magne. “The voices wavered on the shimmery aie Beam,’ stid Anna, Fading. ‘Fournine seven-A-and Band -X, said Mink, fr away, stows, “And a fork and a string and a hex-hex-agony ~ hexagonal” ‘AcTunch Mink guiped milk arone toss and was athe door. Her ‘mother slapped the rable. “You stright back down,’ commanded Mrs Mortis. Hot soup Ina minute.’ She poked a red button on the kitchen butler, and ten seconds later something landed witha bump inthe rubber receiver. (Mrs Morris opened it took out a can witha pair of aluminium holders, unsealed i with a Hick, and poured hot soup into a bowl, Dring al this Mink dgered. “Huzry, Mom! This isa mater of life and death! Aw— “Twas che same way at your age. Always life and death. know.” Mink banged away atthe soup. ‘Slow down,’ said Mom. Can’ said Mink, ‘Drill’ waiting for me” ‘Who's Drill? What a peculiar name," said Mom. “You don'c know him,’ said Mink “A new boy in che neighbourhood? asked Mom. “He's new alright’ said Mink. She stareed on her second bow “Which one is Drill” asked Mom, “He's around,’ std Mink, evasvely."You'l make fun. Everybody pokes fun. Gee, darn.” “Is Dail shy?" “Yes. No. na way. Gosh, Mom, I goto runif we wane have the Iavasion! "Who's invading what” 4 A Window on the Universe Zero Hour 1s “Marian invading Earth, Wel, not exactly Martians. They're—L don’t know. From up. She pointed with hee spoon. “And inside, said Mom, touching Mink’s feverish brow. ‘Mink ceblled. You're laughing! You'Ikill Diland everybody.” AU idn't mean ro, said Mom. ‘Drill’s a Mactian? "No. He's — well ~ maybe from Jupiter or Saturn or Venus. Anyway, he's hada hard ce.” Jmagine.” Mrs Mortis hid her mouth behind her hand. “They coulda’ igure a way to atack Ea “We're impregnable,’ said Mom in mock seriousness. “That sthe word Dri used! Impreg— That was the word, Mon” “My, my, Dri’ a bilione litle boy. Two-bie words. “They coulda’ gure a way to attack, Mom. Deilsays “he says inonderto makes good fight yougorto have anew way of surprising people. That way you win. And he says als you got to have help from your enemy.” “A fifth column’ said Mom. “Yeah, That's what Drill sai. And they coulde’ igure a wayco surprise Earth or get help” "No wonder. We're pretty dam strong,” Mom laughed cleaning up. Mink sathere, staring at che table, seeing what she was talking about. “Unt, one day’ whispered Mink melodramatialy, they shought of children!” “Well sid Mes Mossi brightly “And che thougheofhow grown-ups are so busy they never look under rose bushes or on lawns!" “Only for snails and fungus” “And then chere’s somerhing about dim-dims." Dim-dims? “Dimene-shuns.” ‘Dimensions? “Four of ‘emt And there's something about kids under nine and imagination. I's real funy to heat Dail elk,” ‘Mars Mortis was ied, ‘Wel, e must be funy. You're keeping Drill waiting now. e's getting late in the day and, if you want to hhave your Invasion before your supper bach, you'd beter up’ "Do Thave to take a bath? growled Mink. “You dot Why isit children hate water? Nomatter what age you live in children hate water behind the ear!" ‘Drill says I won't have to take bats, said Mink, "Oh, he does, does he?” “He toldall the kidsthat. No more baths. And wecan stay upill ten o'clock and go to ewo televtor shows on Sarueday “stead of “Well, Mr Drill better mind his p's anda. PUesll up hismother and—" ‘Mink weneto the door. "We're having rouble with guyslike Pete Briteand Dale Jervck. Theyre growing up. They make fun. They're worse than parents. They just won't believe in Dell. They're 80 snooty, cause they're growing up. You'd think they'd know better. “They were litle only a coupla years ago. Thate them worst. We'll kil them ist. “Yous father and me last?” “Drillsays you're dangerous. Know why? Cause you don'tbelive in Martians! They're going tole us run the world, Wel, not just 1s, but the kids over inthe nexe black, too, | might be queen.” She ‘opened the door. eri “Yer “What's lodgeick?™ “Logic? Why, dear, logic is knowing what things are true and “Hemonzioned tha, sid Mink, “And what'sien-pes-sion able? 16 A Window on the Universe Tetook her a minute to say it "Why, ie means... Her mother looked atthe oor, laughing gently. Te means ~ to bea cil, dear.” “Thanks fr lunch!” Mink ran ou, then stack her head back in, ‘Mom, 'l be sure you won't be hurt much, really!" “Well, hanks” said Mor, Slam went the door Ac four o'lock the audio-vigor buzzed. Mrs Mortis ped the tab, Hello, Helen!” she sid in welcome. “Hello, Mary. How are things in New Yook?” “Fine. How are chings in Serancon? You loa teed." “Soo you. The children. Underfoot, ssid Helen, [Mrs Mortis sighed. "My Mink too. The super-invasion.” Helen laughed. “Are your kids playing that game coo?” “Loed, yes. Tomorrow it'll be geometrical jacks and motorized hhopscosch. Were we this bad when we were kids in 482" "Worse. Japs and Nazis". Don't know how my parents pur up with me. Tomboy.” “Parents learn to shut thee ears? Aasilence. “What's weong, Mary? asked Helen, ‘Mars Morris's eves were half closed; her tongue slid slowly, ‘hovghetlly, over her lowerlip. Eh? She jerked, Ob, nothing. Just thought about zh. Shuting ears and sich, Never mind. Where were we?” “My hoy Tim's gor a crush on some guy named = Drill think “Must be a new password. Mink likes him 100. ‘Didn't know ithad goc as far as New York. Word of mouth, imagine. Looks lke scrap drive. [talked to Josephine and she sid her kid tha’ in Boston ~ are wild on this new game. e's sweeping the country. i Zero Hour "7 ‘At cis moment Mink torted into the kitchen to gulp a glass of water. Mrs Morris turned. How're things going?” “Almost finished” ssid Mink, “Swell said Mes Morris. “Whats that?” "A yoryoy said Mink. "Watch" ‘She fang the yo-yo down is sting, Reaching the end it— Ievanshed. “See? said Mink. ‘Ope! ibbling her finges, she made the yo-yo reappear and 2p up the sting. "Do that again’ said her mother. "Can't, Zero how's five o'lock. Bye!” Min exited, zipping her yor. (On the audio-isor, Helen laughed. "Tim brought one of those ‘yo-yos inthis morning, bur when {got curious he sid he wouldn't show ittome,and when red eo work it finally, it woulda’ work” “You're not impressionable, said Mrs Moti, What?” ‘Never mind. Something I thought of. Can I help you, Helen?” “TL vanted to get that black-and-white cake eee...” “The hour drowsed by. The day waned. The sun lowered in the peaceful biue sky. Shadows lengthened on the green lawns. The laughter and excitementcontinued. Onelitle gel ean away, crying. ‘Mes Mortis eame out the front door “Mink, was chat Peggy Ann crying?” ‘Mink was bent overin the yard nea the rose bush. "Yeah, She's 4 scarebaby*. We won't ether play, now. She's gectingt00 ol ro play. T guess she grew up all oF sudden,” "Is that why she cried? Nonsense. Give mea civil answer, oung lady, o€ inside you come! ‘Mink whirled in consternation, mixed wih citation ‘I can't uit now. e's almos time. I'l be ood. AWindow on the Universe “Did you hit Peggy Ann?" “No honest. You ask her. I was something ~ well, she's just 2 scaredy pans” "The ing of children drew in around Mink where she seowied at nner work with spoons and kind ofuare shaped arrangement of hammers and pipes. "There and there,’ murmured Mink “What's weong? said Mrs Mortis “pris stuck. Halfway. If we could only get him all the way through id be easier, Then all theaters could come through afer bin "Can help? “Non, chal. Pit? “All ight. 'leall you for your hath in halfan hous. t'm tired of ‘watching you.” ‘She went in and satin the electric relaxing char, sipping alte bees from hall-mapy glass. The chair massaged her back, Children, cfildeen Children and loveand hate, side by sil. Sometimes chien Toved you, heed you ~ all in half a second. Strange children. did ‘they eve forget ot forgive the whippings andthe harsh, srct words ‘of command? She wondered. How can you ever forget ot forgive those over and above you, those tll and silly dictators? “Time passed. A curious, waiting silence came upon the stret, Seepening- Five o'clock, A clock sang soflly somewhere in the house ina “gui musical voice: Five o'clock ~ Rive clock. Time's wasting Five o'locky and purted away ito silence. Zero hour. ‘Mes Morris chuckled inher throat. Zero how. “Abeetle car hammed into the driveway. Mr Morris. Mes Mortis smiled. Me Morris gor out ofthe heel, locked it, and elle hello to Mink at her work. Mink ignored him. He laughed and stood for a moment watching the children. Then he walked up the front steps. Zero Hour » “Het, dang” ‘Hel Henn She tained forward on he ge of he chat, sei children were silent, Too silent. ° aa courte peel Sway. Mak yous Bec E “Whee asked Henry. “dat kno’ Ste gt op sen hes ys wien. She was tig tee Sh woe uo Hr es Jumped, Thosechlreaven'anyhingdangronsct ther have they?’ she said. a hei "Nothing pipes ad hammers Why? “Neshing ec? “Heck nos Hey. looked She walle thc kiien. The brsingsominaJuethesame you'd better go tell them to quit safer five. Tell hem— Her {es wiened ad narod. Tel them io pt off te neaton St wmorom She oped, nerouy. The us ev es “What ar they up 6° PE er go kal ight? ‘The explosion? oes Thee hook with dll sound. There were och all sound. Ther wer oer explosions in other yards on other streets. " Involutary, re Mors seamed “Up cis way she ied szalnly knowing sens no revon, Pap chest someing fom oren of asp sented ne ado ard a ne noe, Thee was time oars ith Fen convince im Lehi hk enn. Yea Shiki he fen upaes He an afer her tone wha she was pe 2 the svat. “Tha here iw oly oot encne test him nthe atin ine Oh God - nine! 2» AWindow on the Universe Another explosion outside. The children screamed with delight, asif ata great fireworks display. “tes notin che atc” cried Henry ‘Is outside!” "No, nol" Wheezing, gasping, she fumbled a the attic door." shove you. Hurry! show you! “They tumbled into the atic. She slammed the oor locked it, took the key, threw it nto a ae, cluttered corer. She wat babbling wild stuff now. It came out of her. All the subconscious suspicion and fear that had gathered secely all alternoon and fermented like a wine in he. All he tee revelations and knowledges and sense that had bothered her all day and which shehady logically and carefully and sensibly, rejected and censored. Now it exploded in her and shook her to bits “There, ther,’ she ssid, sobbing against the door. We'e safe until tonight. Maybe we ean sneak out. Maybe we can escape!” ‘Henry blew up too, but for natherreason, Areyoucrazy? Why'd you throw cha key away? Dam it, honey!” “Yes, yes 'm crazy ft helps, but stay here with me!” “done know hav in hell cam ge ou!” “Quiet They hear ws, Oh, God, hey find us soon enough—" Below them, Mink’s voice: The husband stopped. There was great universal humming and sizzling, a seaming and giggling. Downstsie the audio-levisor buzzed and buzzed insistently, alarmingly, violently. I thar Helen caling?chought Mrs Morris. ‘And she calling abous what | shink she's calling about? Footsteps came ito the house. Heavy footsteps. “Who's comingin my house? demanded Henry angrily." Who's ‘ramping around down there? Heavy fees. Twenty, thiry, forty Bifty of them. Fifty persons -rowding ino the house. The himming. The gang the chien “This way! ied Mink, below. “Who's downstairs? roared Henry. ‘Who's there?” Zero Hour a “Hush, Ob, nononononono! sad his wife weakly, holding him. ‘Pleas, be quit. They might go away "Mom? called Mink, ‘Dad? A pause. “Where are you?” Heavy footsteps, heavy, heavy, very heavy foostes, came up the stairs. Mink leading them “Mom? A hesiation. ‘Dad? A waiting silence Humming. Fooesteps towards the attic. Mink's fst. ‘They trembled ogsthe in silence in cheats, Mrand Mes Mortis, Forsome reason cheelecrichumming, che queer cold light suddenly visible under the door crack, the strange odour and the alien sound ‘of eagemess in Mink’s voice finally gor throught Henry Mores too, He stood, shivering, in che dark silence his wife beside him. "Mem! Dad!” Footsteps litle humming sound. The ati-lock melted, The oor opened. Mink peered inside, tall blue shacdows bend her. "Peekaboo" said Mink 2 A Window onthe Universe Zero Hour B Noms Jags and Nas (918 offense) tems wed fo he Japanese and German ene during he Steand Woeld War ‘i scrap dive (915) "eallection of urls pieces of old metal seareaby scarey pants (91778) ‘hl words for an ea feghtened person pesksboo (p21 2 word aed in children's games when foking out of a hiding-place Discussion 1 To Mink, helping the slics co invade Barth seems to be fst a ncn game. Do you tink thi alii in a seven-year-old child? ‘oy dors kel er note laevis? Ae goons anywhere fn the sory that Mink ha at leas some ies of {Be gnfeance ofan invasion and of what Dall has apparently tld hee 2 Do you think Mrs Mortis is shown asa careful sensible kind of tr? Should se ave tealied ener tha someting wer ange teen going on? Wha ar the clues thar she could have picked up from Mink, rer fiend Helen n New Yor? And what conlusions could shehave deo? 3 HHow much information is given ia the story about the naare and tppearance of the invading aliens? Do you think che ending of the ory would bave Seen moreefeiveif the descrision had been more (Taishan sal Sloe shadows’ bind Mink? Why, or why not? 44 The sory is et ina wood that is apparent vey different fom the ne welkrow today, Do you think sacha hetoniows ecey sa kely faut, oF isthe pict fa too optimise? Laxcuace Focus 1 The flowing li of appliances and machines, mentioned in passing inthe seory to create 2 fuursicseving, are most exiting words hed in conbinaton to sugges new meatings end new inventions 8 common deve i ssenefcion wing, The wor, be invent wil nt be ound domain and we are oc cxpected row prey wht dey mean, But what easings do ey mages sou Use your imation, nd your knledae fhe component word co debe the appearance 0 purot the he. eters (91) ‘cm dtr (10) oddly tes (pI) motors (0) felesor (pi) tdecrondater meet (13) ‘chon baer ot sudiowzor (pl) lectin car (018) 2 There are several words used by Mink which ar ery uly words {ora seven-year-old to use, Which are they? Two of them, og and ‘impresionable, Mrs Moers temps t9 expan Mink, iow woud you defn them and the ater ‘dal words hat Mink wee? What (Hier do these words haven the sory? Acriverms 1 Imagine shat Mes Moti reaized auc cals thatthe invasion was ott a dh gare. Invensconerston betwesn er and Mink, {as Ms Mots ees both to get ore information from Mink, and ‘ersuade er cae Drills not ie fiend to have: 2 Thestoryndsata momen ofhigh enson, Whatever doesthe author liply wl appen next? And what do you think wll happen othe chldeen? Wilh mendes be benign, and uphold thes promis af 0 ‘note baths, saying up tl eon o'lock, and to relevisor shows on Ssturdaye? Wee another paragraph co deste the sera of she THE Star Ducks ‘The Aurion, [il Brown was bornin 910s Oregoo, USA. He wotked as journals pack anger, abd teacher of cteatve Weg ‘Aba young min nthe 1930 he made a voragein ati ‘ro foot schooner through the Soak Seu and ding ‘Werk War ll dacended a Himalayan river by rubber boat. ~ “Two of is hocks, Uncharted Vonage snd Rodrig River, are based on thee adventures, Hs story The Str Ducks was published in 1950 inthe magazine Fantay and Science Fition, Tace more sceace-ton saris followed: The Tromt andthe Trumpet, Medicine Dance, 208 Spent Water. He died in 1964, Tie Stony “Ther no reason to suppor that Earth the oly planet In the universe cxpable of supporting life some form ot ‘tier. Unil we can communicate with other plas, however, we can only speculste and imagine Scence Sion fee us tich ange of alien lifeforms rom the sublimeto the diols, and athe ame tine often shows humankind rom ew, and sometimes unfateig, angle “The tet hint of &wsestion from outer space nd seporer Ward Rffey would rsh othe scene, keto be ‘he Brat with «sensational scoop for his newspaper. The ‘Aliops, on the other haa are wtroubled by the thought of ‘wonders from space. Tey pare thir rmdeur lives a6 farmers, ring chickens ling the cows, doing a bit of {end ade wth any vistors tht happen 0 deop by THE Star Ducks ‘ard Rafferty’s long, sensitive newshavsk’s nose alerted him, fora hoax as soon ashe saw the old Alsop place. Therewas no crowd of cuious farmers standing around, no ambulance. Rafferty left The Times presscarunder a walnot tein the drive and scood for a moment noting every deal withthe efficiency that made him The Times top reporter. The ld Alsop house was brown weathered, ewo-storey with creamcolouted filigree around the ‘windows anda lawn thathad grown up o weeds. Ourin back were the barn and chicken houses and fence that were propped up with boards and pieces of pipe. The font gate ws hanging by on hinge but i could be opened by lifing it. Rafferty went in and climbed the steps carefl for loose boards Me Alsop came out on the porch to meet him. ‘Howdy do," he ssid Rafferty pushed his hat back on his head the way he always did before he said: Tm Raffery of The Times” Most people knew his byline and be liked to watch ther faces when he said it ‘Raffery" Me Alsop sai and Rafferty knew he wasn'ta Times reader: ‘Ima reporter, Rafferty sad. ‘Somebody phoned in ansaid an silane cracked up around here” Mr Alsop looked thoughtful and shook his head slowly. ‘Noy’ he sd Rafferey saw right away that Alsop was. slow thinker so he gave him cime, mentally pegging him a taciturn Yankee". Mr Alsop answered agai, “No00000000000" ‘The sere door squeaked and Mrs Alsop came out, Since Mr Alsop was still thinking, Rafferty repeated he information for Mes ‘Alop, thinking she looked a ile brighter than her husband. But 26 AWindow on the Universe Mrs Alsop shook her head and said, ‘Noooosoe0900 in exactly the same tone Mr Alsop had use Rafferty tuened around with his hand on the porch ailing ready tego down te mee ‘Test asa phony pes Weg oof Somebody ‘ ae ai. Yeni Ms Alsop’ face lighted p.OAMDAAAAAAA she did bait wa wrecked Bees, ely an alae. Tat is icdocs have wings on? 7 x the top step. "1 beg. Ealfry onped his foot inthe aioe thop sep yourpuron®” hes. "An aiplane came doo? Andi die’ chave Ys Me Also st" ont tein the bar owe biog ‘some fll who bend iron with shames” This Rates ehought, bogie ie ews agsn “Oh, aelioptet be sid . Met Alo shook Ber ead ‘No, don hink ie does’ ave any of thee fans But you cat goon othe ars and have Joo, Take bi ut, Aled. Tel bi co keep onthe walk bectse muddy "Come along Me Aliop sd gh coniraption ovr again nt? Rater lowed Mi Alsop aroundshe howe a thebotd walk sinking he en mil pth one ie ee io like to look the ‘some crackpots and some screwbal macht far deste Alps had hem al eae “Covalent yee Me Abop oA ne tok _ i#é-gé==/-_—=HS—— i —h—rtéi‘“—*OrC—sOs—S : Rafferty involuntarily looked up at the sky and stepped off the board int the mad The Star Ducks a “Up ona what? “Isai up on a star’ Mr Alsop had reached the bazn door and ‘wastryingtoshoveit ope. ‘Stick, he sid, Ralferey put hsshoulder to it and the door slid. When it was open afoot, Rafery looked inside and he knew he had 2 stor. The object inside looked lke giant plastic balloon ony half {fared so thar it was globular om top and its at bottotn rested on the seraw covered floor. ras just small enough ro go through the bien door. Obviously t was somebody's crackpot dea of space ship, Rafferty thought. The headline tha ashe actos his mindin thiry-sx point Bodoni” was ‘Local arter Builds Rocket hip For ‘Moon Voyase’ °Me Alsop, Rafferty sid hopeflly, "you didn'buld his ching, id your" Mer Alsop laughed. ‘Oh, no, I didn’ build i. {wouldn't know ‘how co build one of those things. Some friends of ours came ine, Gosh, 1 would’ even know how to fy one? Ratferty looked at Mr Alsop narrowly and hesaw the man'sface “Just who are chese Friends of yours, Mr Alsop” Refery asked cautiously. "Well tsounds funny,’ Mr Alsop sai, “but | don't rghtly know. ‘They don’ ralkso very good, They don’t sak at all All we can got cutofthem that their nameis something abou bending ion with Rafferty had been citcling the contraption, gradually drawing closer to it, He suddenly collided with something he couldn sce He said ‘ouch’ and rubbed his shin, “Oh, I forgor to tell you, Mr Rafer,” Mr Alsop sid, "they got ‘zag on i that won't you gt near, some kind oft wall you ‘can't see, Thats to keep boys away from it" “These frends of yours, Mr Alsop, where are they now?" 8 ‘AWindow onthe Universe “Ohythey'teoveratthehouse,’ Mr Alsop said "Youcan see them, ifyou want to, But think you'l indi prety hard talking other.” Russians? Rafferty asked, “Ohyno. 1 don't think so. They don'c wear cossacks™. ‘Le'sgor Rafferty said ins low voice and led the way across the muddy barnyard toward the house “These folks come here the fet time about six years agoy’ Mr [Alsop said. ‘Wanted some egge. Thought maybe they could raise chickens up wher they are. Took ‘em tree years 0 get home. gs spoiled Sothe folks turned right around and come back. This time 1 xed em up alittle brooder so they can raise chickens onthe way ‘home,’ He suddenly laughed. l can just see that tle contraption way out there in the sky fll of chickens. : ‘Ratfcrty climbed up on the back porch ahead of Mr Alsop and went through the back door into the kitchen. Me Alsop stopped him before they went ino che living room. “Now, Me Raferty, my wifecan tall to these people better than can, so anything you waar to know you beter ask he Her and the lay ger along petty good ‘Okay, Rafferty said, He pushed Mr Alsop gently through the door into the living room, thinking he would play along, act naive. ‘Mes Alsop sat in an armchaieloseroa cirulatingheater.Raferty aw the visitor sitting side by side on the davenpors he saw them ‘waving thei ong flexible antennae delicately, hesaw their lavender faces as expressionless as glas, the round eyes that seemed to be painted on, Rafferty clutched the door facings and stared. ‘Mas Alsop turned toward hit brightly. “Me Rafferty,’ she seid, these arethe people that came to see us in that airplane Mrs Alsop eased her finger and both the strangers ‘bent their antennae down inher direction “This is Me Rafferty Mrs Alkop std. He'sa newspaper reporter. ‘The Star Ducks 2 He wanted 1 see your airplane.” Rafferty managed to nod and he strangers curled up thet antennae and nodded politely. The woman scratched he side with her lefe claw, ‘Something inside Rafferty's head was saying, you'rea smart boy, Ratferty, you'e 100 smart to be taken in, Somebody's pulling ‘whopping, skilful publicity scheme, somebody's got you down for 4 sucker, Either that or you're crazy or drunk or dreaming. Reffery teed to keep his voice eas “What did you say theic names are Mes Alsop?” “Well, we don’ know,’ Mrs Alsop said. “You see they ca only make pictures for you. They point those funny squigaly horas at you and hey jus think. Thar makes you think, 00 the something they rethinking. Laskedshem what thie nate sand the Tet hem think for me. AILI saw was apieture ofthe man hammering some iton on an anvil. Sol guess their nameis something ike Man-Who- Bends-eon. Maybe i's kind of like an Indian* name. Ratferey looked syly atthe people who bent iron and at Mes Aliop. "Do you suppose, he said innocently, ‘hey would talk to me~ ox think 10 me?" Mrs Alsop looked trouble, “They'd be glad to, Me Raftery. The only ting i i's pretty haed a Best. Hard foe yous that i.” “Til toy ty Ratferey sad. He took outs cigarete and lighted it Hi held the match until it burned his Fingers "Just throw i inthe coal bucket,’ Me Alsop sai. Ratferey threw che match in the coal bucket. “Ask these things... ab... people where they come from,’ he ssid ‘Mes Alsop smiled. ‘Thats a very hard question. [asked chem shar before but didnt ger much ofa picture. But ask them aga | ‘A Window onthe Universe Mrs Alsop raised er finger and both horns bent toward her and yd deeely at her head. "This young man,’ Mes Akop sid in loud voice lke she was talking to someone hard of hearing, “wants co know where you people come fom.” ‘Mr Alsop nudged Raffery. ‘Just hold up your finger when you ‘wane your answer” Ralfery felt ikea complete ioe but he held up his finger. The woman whose husband bends oa bent her antenna down until it focussed on Rafferty between the eyes. He involuntarily braced himself against the door facings. Suddenly his brain felt as though it were made of rubber and somebody was wringing and twisting and pounding tall orf shape and moulding it back gether again into something new. The teror of t blinded him. He was fying through space through great whie void. Sars and meteors whizzed by and a great star, dazzling with brilliance, white and sparkling stood therein his mind and then it went out. Rafferty's mind was released but he found himself trembling, clutching che door facings. Hisburning cigarette was onthe floor. Mr Alsop stooped and picked itu. “Here's your cigarette Mr Rafferty. Did you get your answer?” Rafferty was white “Mr Alsop!” he said, “Mrs Alsop! This is on the level. These cecarures are really (com out therein space somewhere” Me Alsop sti “Sore, they come a long way.” "Do you know what ehis means? Ratferty heard his voice becoming hysterical and hetried ro ep itcalm. ‘Do youknow this isthe most important thing thathas ever happened in the history of the world? Do you know this. yes its i's the biggest sory inthe world andit’shappening rome, do you understand? Rafferey ‘was yelling, ‘Where's your phone?” "Wedon't havea telephone, Mr Alsop said. "There's one down, ‘The Star Ducks a arth filling station. Bu these people ae going go ina few minutes ‘Why don’ you wait and see them off Already got their eegs and the brooder and feed on board.” “No? Ratferey gasped. “They can't goin a few minutes Listen, [ve got to phone~I've got to get a photographes!” ‘Mrs Alsop smied. “Welly Mr Raffery, we tried to getthem to stay over for supper buc they have to goara certain ime. They have to catch the tide or something ike that." “Ie the moon,’ Mr Alsop said with authority. “e's something bout the moon being in the righ place.” ‘The people from space sat there demurely, thee claws folded in chet lps, their ancennae neatly curled eo show they weren't ‘eavesdropping on other people's minds Ratferty looked frantically around the toom for a telephone he knew wasn’t there. Got to get Joe Pegley a che city des, Rafferty ‘hough. Joc'lknow whartodo, No,no, Joe would say you'te drunk. ‘Bur this the biggest sory inthe world, Rafferty's brain kepe saying fe’ the biggest story in the world and you jue stand here, “Listen, Alsop! Rafferty yelled. "You gota camera? Any kind of a camera gor to have a camera! “Oh, sure,’ Mr Alsop said. gota ine camera, I's abox camera butit takes good pictures. show yousome took ofmy chickens” “No, no! I don’t waat to see your pictures. I want the camera!” Mr Alsop went into the parlour and Raffersy could see him fambling around on top of the organ. "Mrs Alsop! Rafferry shouted Te gota ak lots of questions” “Ask away,’ Mrs Alsop said cheery. “They don’t mind.” Burwhaecould you ask people from space? You gor heir names, You sot whac the wee ere for eg. You got whee he wee [Mr Alsop’s voice ceme from the parlour 32 AWindow on the Universe “Fehel, you seen my camera?” Mrs Alsop sighed. ‘No, FRaven't. You put it away.” "Only trouble i,” Me Alsop sai, ‘haven'e got any lms for Suddenly the people from space tured their antennae toward each other for a second and apparently coming to 2 mutual agreement, go up and darted here and there about the room as quick as fireflies, 50 fase Rafferty could scarcely se ther. They suttered ‘tthe door and off toward the barn All Raferty could think was "My God, they're part bug!” Ratferty rushed out the door, on toward the barn through the mud, screaming atthe creatures to stop. But before he was bal way there the gleaming plastic contraption sid out ofthe barn and ‘there was a slight hss. The thing disappeared into the low hanging. louis. ~ All here was lef for Rafferty to sce wasa steaming place inthe smud anda lite circle of burnt earth, Rafferty sat down inthe mud, hollow, empty feeling in his middle, with the knowledge thar the greatest story inthe world had gone off ino the sky. No pictures, no evidence, 0 story. He dlly went overins mind the information he ba: "Mr and Mes Man-Who-Bende-ron Ie slowly davened on Rafferty what thet meant. Smith! Man-Who-Bends-Iron onan anvil ‘Of course that was Smith”... "Mr and Mrs Smith visited at che lire Alsop place Sunday. They returned rotheirhomein the system ‘oF Alpha Centauri with two erates of hatching eas.” Rafferty goto his fet and shook his head. He stood sill n the smud andsuddenlyhiseyes narrowed and youknew that the Ratferty brain was working ~that Rafferty brain that always came up with the story. He bolted foe the house and burst inthe back door. “Alsop” he yelled. Did those people pay you for those eggs?” Mr Alsop was standing on a chair infront ofthe china close, sell ming for he eamer, ‘The tar Ducks 3B “Oh, sure he said. Tn way they did.” “Let me see the money!’ Rafferty demande. "Ok,notin money,’ Mr Alsop said. They don’thave any money. Ba when they were here six years ago they brought us some ens oftheir own in trade” ‘Six years spo!” Rafferty moaned. Then he started. Eggs! What ind of epee?” Mr Alsop chuckled litt. ‘Ob,[don'tknow,"he sid. “We called them star ducks, The eggs were star shaped. And you know we et ‘hem under ahen andthe star poins bothered he oldhen someching ave Me Alsop climbed down from the chit ‘Star ducks aen’t much good though. They look something like 8 lite hippopotamus and something like a swallow. But they gor sisleps. Oly two of chem lived and we ate them for Thanksgiving Raiferty’s brain sll worked, grasping fr that single fragment ‘ofevidence thar would make hiscity eitor~and the world belive Rafferty leaned close. ‘Mr Alsop, he almose whispered, ‘you wouldn't know where the skeletons ofthe star ducks ae?” Me Alsop looked puzzled. "You mean the bones? We gave the bones to the dog. That was five years ago. Even the dog'sdead now.” Raferey picked up his hat like « man in a daze “Thanks, Mr Alsop," he said dull. Thanks." Rafferty stood on the porch and put on his hat. He pushed it ‘back on his head. He stared up into the overcast; he stared until he fel inzy like he was spiraling off inco the mist. [Mer Alsop came out, wiping the dust off « box camera wich his sleeve. "Oh, Mr Raery, he sid. found the camera 4 A Window om the Universe The Star Ducks as mentally pegging ia acorn Yank (p28) Bee a estas phony op (p26) (sometimes derogatory aniahabiant of ay of henothern American States erpecally how of New Englsnd ‘hier pote Bodo (p27) he ste (very lage] and mame f printers ypeace omacks (p28) "eston ofthe Rusian poplason (Me Alsop s probably confusing the word with catoc, 2 long Hack garment Worn by some pies) fndian (p23) “Amcican fain (he prefered tr now is Native Americans the ciginalinhabians of Norh America, whose amesate olen decritve ofthe natural word (eg Siting Bul Laughing Water) Sigh (0321 ‘onecfthemostordinary snd widespread fal nares among Engh: ‘Sreking peoples; tonginaly meant Blacksmith, apetson who made sd epard hinge made of, especially horseshocs Discussion 1 What i Rafferty’ actu tothe Alsop, ad what isis ist thought ser Mes Man. Who-BendsIon ies o implant some information in ‘i mind? Whar dois reaction reveal abou is characte? 2 How do the Alsop behave other visitor from oe space?Do you find their apposshreteahing, or exasperting, hat 2 great ‘portunity i bing mised? 3 Do you fel sympathy for Rafer is proicament? Might have ov evidence for his ns ony ihe himaelf had behaved eifereu? ‘Sgt how be might have dese wih be swan aa beer wa. 4 Didyou id this sory amusing? Why or why noe Is the author wing moorto make arial point abour news reporing in genera fs, ayo apes wth the implied ecm? Lascuace Focus 1 Find hese expressions inthe text af the story and then rephrase them in your ova werd, for shor duress, hese Alps bad them al beat (526) Soweto smart to be taken (72) Somebody got you dou for esucker (p28) Thsison the level (930) ‘that Rafferty brain tha aay came up with he story (p32) ‘the etar punts bothered the ld en sometbing aud (93) 2 The visors from outer space ae refered to by the following terms in the story. Without looking back athe text, can You sty which ees are wed by Rafferty, and whic bythe Alsop? Whae do the terme ‘aggest abou the atades ofthe speakers? ols, fren, Rusia people things creatures, art big ‘Which jets trom the following lt might dexrtethe aomider ofthe Alsop and Raffery? Explain the reason for your choice.

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