In keeping with a recent focus on stories I wrote in childhood and my assertion that space is tight, this week we’re diving into another space-focused journey concocted by a young Victor Beigelman. Once again I don’t know exactly when this was published, but I look about 8 in that photo, so let’s go with 3rd grade. Sadly there are no illustrations, but I think we can all agree the cover is at least a true work of art.
Without further preamble, the story:
Uranus the 7th Planet
USA wanted to go to Uranus because they were eager to see what was on the strange planet. It will take 57 years to get there and Alan is only 3 years old. Alan is the person that is going to Uranus. “You will reach Uranus and be 60.” The mission to Uranus was made the very next day. Alan was very scared at first but managed to keep the secret. The commander showed Alan how to fly the ship. “Now” said the commander. Do this, do that, do this. DO! … I got it said Alan. “You will enter the space-ship in 2 hours 26 minutes 9 seconds 42 mila-seconds. The 2 hours 26 minutes 9 seconds 42 mila-seconds turned in to 2 minutes 2 mila-seconds. Then Alan got in the ship. Count down 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1…0! 57 years to go!
said the commander. as Alan was reaching the astroid belt, Alan was not knowing what was going on and then something caught his eye. The Astroid Belt!!! Alan reached for the wheel, and and turned just in time. “Whew.” Said Alan,. Alan was Amazed by space. He pass Jupiter and is was big, big, big!!! He was told to stop and see the colors on Saturn. So he stopped the ship. He looked at the colors. Then he returned on his journey to Uranus. Once he reached Uranus. He looked arouned he took some steps. It really took forever to take even one step. Alan was 60 years old. He just saw a green figure. It was an ALIEN!!!! The Alien has a gun. But it didn’t shoot. It
was friendly. Then Alan had to go. Back to Earth. I (Alan) headed back to earth knowing knowone would belive the things I saw.
The End
Try to tell me this isn’t a masterpiece. I mean, it has everything:
Uranus, which I definitely picked because I was an 8-year-old boy and it’s the funniest-sounding planet
An understanding, if overestimated, of the fact that it takes a long time to travel to an outer planet
Mila-seconds
The Asteroid (Astroid) Belt
An initially menacing yet friendly alien
A narrator who is revealed to be the main character
Apparently that reveal at the end was a bit too much for my teacher to handle though, and perhaps the reason why I only got a grade of “S+/O” (Satisfactory + / Outstanding) instead of fully Outstanding.
Some people are afraid of genius when they see it.
Fortunately, you grew up in a family that wasn’t afraid of genius😃
the shocking plot twist 😵💫😵💫😵💫