The Book That Saved the Earth

By Claire Boiko

Setting:

● Time: The 25th century

● Place: The Museum of Ancient History, Department of the Twentieth
Century, on Planet Earth

Characters:

1. Historian: Introduces the story to the audience, serving as a narrator.

2. Great and Mighty Think-Tank: The arrogant, self-proclaimed ruler of
Mars, with an inflated ego and an egg-shaped head.
3. Apprentice Noodle: Think-Tank's subordinate, who often provides insights
that Think-Tank takes credit for.
4. Captain Omega: The leader of the Martian space crew sent to Earth.
5. Lieutenant Iota: A member of the Martian crew, confused by Earth's
culture and objects.
6. Sergeant Oop: Another crew member, comic relief due to his literal
interpretations and gullibility.

Plot Summary:

Scene 1: The Museum of Ancient History

● The Historian welcomes the audience to the Museum of Ancient History,

highlighting the 20th century as the “Era of the Book.”
● She hints at a Martian invasion in 2040 that was mysteriously thwarted by
a single book, setting the stage for the story’s events.

Scene 2: Mars Space Control

 ● Think-Tank, the egotistical Martian leader, plans to invade Earth, viewing it
as a primitive and insignificant planet.
● He communicates with the space probe crew—Captain Omega, Lieutenant
Iota, and Sergeant Oop—who have landed in an Earth library.
● The Martians, unfamiliar with books, misinterpret them as food
(sandwiches) and later as communication devices.

The Crew's Misinterpretations:

1. Books as Refreshments:
○ Think-Tank assumes the books are "sandwiches," as Earthlings
must be obsessed with food. He orders the crew to eat one, leading
to comical discomfort.
2. Books as Communication Devices:
○ Think-Tank next believes the books are communication tools,
instructing the crew to listen to them, but they hear nothing.
○ Noodle suggests watching them instead, leading Think-Tank to
conclude they are for visual communication.
3. Decoding Nursery Rhymes:
○ The crew examines a book of nursery rhymes (Mother Goose) and
reads aloud several verses, interpreting them literally:
■ "Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary": Think-Tank fears
Earthlings can grow explosive plants and rare metals.
■ "Hey Diddle Diddle": He believes Earthlings have advanced
space travel, training animals like cows to launch interstellar
attacks.
■ "Humpty Dumpty": Think-Tank sees a picture of Humpty
Dumpty and panics, thinking Earthlings know about him and
plan to attack Mars.

Themes:

1. Power and Arrogance:

○ Think-Tank’s exaggerated self-importance blinds him to reality,
leading to comical misunderstandings. His arrogance contrasts with
Noodle’s quiet intelligence.
2. Misinterpretation and Ignorance:
 ○ The Martians’ inability to understand simple Earth objects reflects
how ignorance can lead to flawed conclusions and irrational fears.
3. The Power of Knowledge:
○ Books, symbols of human knowledge and culture, inadvertently save
Earth. This underscores the idea that intelligence and creativity,
even in simple forms, are powerful.
4. Humor and Satire:
○ The play uses humor to criticize overconfidence and the tendency to
underestimate others. The Martians' literal interpretations of nursery
rhymes highlight the absurdity of assumptions based on incomplete
knowledge.

Message:

The play suggests that knowledge, creativity, and culture—embodied by

books—are humanity’s true strengths. It also warns against arrogance and the
dangers of underestimating others based on superficial judgments.

Think-Tank: Character Analysis

Description:

Think-Tank is the ruler of Mars, depicted as an egotistical and self-important leader. Physically,
he has a large, egg-shaped head, symbolizing his supposed intellectual superiority. His name
itself, "Think-Tank," suggests someone who is full of ideas and intelligence, but his actions
reveal that his wisdom is superficial and often misguided.

Key Traits:

1. Arrogant:
○ Think-Tank constantly boasts about his superior intelligence and the Martian
civilization’s advancements. He dismisses Earth as a primitive planet,
underestimating its capabilities.
 ○ His arrogance blinds him to the reality of the situation, leading to comical
misunderstandings.
2. Ignorant and Gullible:
○ Despite his claims of brilliance, Think-Tank's understanding is limited. He
misinterprets basic objects (like books) and concepts, leading to absurd
conclusions.
○ His lack of knowledge about Earth culture highlights his ignorance, especially
when he mistakes nursery rhymes for coded messages about advanced
technology.
3. Cowardly:
○ When faced with the possibility of Earth’s superior powers (which he imagines
from the nursery rhymes), Think-Tank panics. He orders an immediate
evacuation, fearing an attack.
○ His fear exposes his vulnerability and lack of real leadership strength.
4. Dependent on Subordinates:
○ Think-Tank relies heavily on his subordinates, especially Noodle, for ideas and
solutions.
○ Although he dismisses Noodle’s insights initially, he often ends up following them,
taking credit for any perceived brilliance.
5. Comical:
○ His exaggerated self-image and flawed reasoning create humor throughout the
play. His overreactions and misinterpretations make him a figure of ridicule rather
than respect.

Significant Actions:

1. Misinterpreting Books:
○ Think-Tank’s inability to understand the concept of books leads him to believe
they are food, communication devices, and dangerous codes. Each
misinterpretation escalates his fear of Earth’s capabilities.
2. Reaction to Nursery Rhymes:
○ His literal interpretations of simple rhymes like "Hey Diddle Diddle" and "Humpty
Dumpty" convince him that Earthlings possess advanced technology, such as
interstellar travel and weaponized cows.
○ This shows how a lack of context can lead to irrational fear.
3. Ordering Evacuation:
○ Think-Tank’s final decision to evacuate Mars demonstrates his cowardice. His
fear of an imagined threat shows that his leadership is based on self-preservation
rather than courage or strategy.

Symbolism:
 ● Egg-shaped Head: Represents the fragility of arrogance and the illusion of intelligence.
Just like an egg, his authority is easily cracked under pressure.
● Think-Tank’s Character: Symbolizes leaders who are more concerned with maintaining
power and image than true understanding or leadership.

Role in the Play's Message:

Think-Tank serves as a satirical representation of flawed leadership. His character illustrates

that true intelligence is not about outward appearances or self-aggrandizement but about
humility, understanding, and the ability to learn. The play uses him to highlight the dangers of
arrogance and ignorance, suggesting that real strength lies in knowledge and critical thinking.

Noodle: Character Analysis

From The Book That Saved the Earth by Claire Boiko

Description:

Noodle is Think-Tank's loyal apprentice and a junior officer in the Martian hierarchy. Unlike his
superior, Noodle is calm, insightful, and quietly intelligent. He represents a voice of reason and
practical wisdom, often overshadowed by Think-Tank's loud and boastful personality.

Key Traits:

1. Intelligent and Perceptive:

○ Noodle has a sharp, analytical mind. He quickly understands the true nature of
the objects and situations that baffle Think-Tank.
○ His interpretations are logical and grounded, demonstrating real intelligence.
2. Humble:
○ Despite his keen insights, Noodle never boasts or seeks recognition. He offers
advice respectfully and often allows Think-Tank to take credit for his ideas.
○ This humility contrasts sharply with Think-Tank’s arrogance.
3. Patient:
○ Noodle remains calm and composed, even when dealing with Think-Tank’s
irrational behavior. He patiently explains his observations and suggestions
without challenging Think-Tank’s authority directly.
○ His patience reflects his understanding of how to navigate a hierarchical system
without creating conflict.
4. Diplomatic:
 ○ Noodle carefully chooses his words and tone to avoid offending Think-Tank. He
knows how to present ideas in a way that makes Think-Tank feel in control, even
when following Noodle’s suggestions.
○ This skillful diplomacy ensures that his advice is heard, even if not always
acknowledged.
5. Resourceful:
○ Noodle uses his knowledge and quick thinking to interpret situations accurately.
For example, he correctly identifies Earth books and their function, unlike
Think-Tank.
○ His resourcefulness is essential in preventing the Martians from making
catastrophic decisions based on Think-Tank’s misconceptions.

Significant Actions:

1. Clarifying Misunderstandings:
○ When Think-Tank mistakenly believes books are food, Noodle gently corrects
him, explaining that books are a form of communication.
○ His explanations reveal his deeper understanding and provide crucial context that
Think-Tank lacks.
2. Interpreting Nursery Rhymes:
○ Noodle tries to interpret the nursery rhymes logically, recognizing that they are
likely stories or poems rather than advanced codes or threats.
○ His logical approach contrasts with Think-Tank’s paranoid and exaggerated
conclusions.
3. Suggesting Caution:
○ While Think-Tank jumps to conclusions and panics, Noodle suggests caution and
careful analysis.
○ His measured approach reflects a more mature and thoughtful leadership style.

Relationship with Think-Tank:

● Subordinate Role: Noodle is officially Think-Tank’s apprentice, but in many ways, he

acts as the true advisor. He provides sensible solutions and insights that Think-Tank
often adopts without acknowledgment.
● Contrast of Personalities: Their dynamic highlights the difference between genuine
intelligence (Noodle) and superficial arrogance (Think-Tank).
● Unrecognized Wisdom: Noodle’s quiet competence underscores a common theme:
those who seek power often overshadow those who truly understand it.
Symbolism:

● Voice of Reason: Noodle symbolizes the value of quiet, steady wisdom. His character
suggests that true leadership relies on listening to those who think critically and act
thoughtfully.
● Underestimated Intelligence: Noodle represents the often-overlooked individuals in
any hierarchy who possess real insight but are overshadowed by louder, more dominant
personalities.

Role in the Play's Message:

Noodle serves as a foil to Think-Tank, highlighting the play’s central theme: true intelligence is
about understanding, humility, and quiet strength. His character emphasizes that real wisdom
doesn’t need to boast or dominate but speaks through calm, reasoned action.