Mr. Caxton draws a Martian bird: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Mr. Caxton draws a Martian bird: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Mr. Caxton draws a Martian bird is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Long, Frank Belknap (1903–1994).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction short story written in the mid-20th century. The narrative centers around two young siblings, Peter and Susan Ashley, who are left in the care of a harsh and impatient adult named Mr. Caxton while their parents are on an expedition in the Martian desert. The story explores themes of childhood innocence, imagination, and the clash between youthful wonder and adult skepticism. The plot unfolds as Peter, eager and inquisitive, believes he has seen a mysterious bird on Mars, a claim that Mr. Caxton dismisses with ridicule and scorn. The children find themselves in a struggle for validation against the adult's cynicism, leading to a climactic confrontation where Peter's vision of the strange bird becomes a pivotal moment. Ultimately, Mr. Caxton's cruel mockery leads to his downfall as he encounters the real Martian bird, resulting in a fatal consequence. The story captures the essence of how the imagination of children can challenge and surpass the limiting views of adults, blending adventure with a cautionary tale about the effects of jealousy and cruelty.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Mr. Caxton draws a Martian bird
- Author credits: Long, Frank Belknap (1903–1994)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Mars (Planet) -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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