About the Author
Jayanandhan (full name Manoj Das) is a famous Indian writer who writes in English and Odia. He was born in 1934 in a small village in Odisha. He loves telling stories that mix science, adventure, and simple life lessons. "The Comet – I" is a fun science story written specially for school kids. He has won many awards, including the Padma Shri from the Government of India. His stories make big ideas easy and exciting!
What’s the Story About?
This is a thrilling science adventure about a bright comet coming close to Earth – and what people do when they think the world might end! The story happens in modern India and mixes real science with funny moments. Let me tell you the whole thing step by step, like a movie in words.
One evening, a young boy named Indrani’s brother (we call him Duttada) is looking at the sky with his telescope. Duttada is a quiet man who loves stars. He is not rich, but he saved money to buy a small telescope. Suddenly, he sees a tiny dot of light moving slowly. He checks his star maps – it’s not a known star or planet. It’s a comet! He names it Comet Dutta after himself.
Duttada is super excited. He writes to scientists all over the world. Soon, big observatories in America and England confirm: Yes, it’s a new comet! Newspapers print his photo. People call him “Duttada the Star Man”. His wife, Indrani, is not happy. She thinks comets bring bad luck. She even does a special prayer (havan) to keep evil away from home.
Days pass. The comet grows brighter in the sky. Now everyone can see it with naked eyes – it has a long shiny tail! School kids draw it. TV news talks about it. But then, a famous scientist named Sir John Macpherson calls a secret meeting in London. Top experts from many countries come. They have bad news: Comet Dutta is coming too close to Earth. In 10 months, it might hit our planet! If it does, it will be like a thousand atom bombs – cities gone, oceans boiling, no life left!
Everyone is scared. But Sir John says, “We can stop it!” He has a plan called Project Light Brigade. They will send a spacecraft with a nuclear bomb. The bomb will blast the comet into small pieces far away in space. The pieces will burn up like shooting stars and never reach Earth.
Back in India, Duttada gets a secret letter. He is invited to join the mission. He flies to London. There, he meets Manoj Dutta (a young Indian scientist) and other experts. They work day and night. Finally, the big day comes. A rocket blasts off from a secret base. It carries the bomb and a super computer.
For one week, the world holds its breath. Duttada sits with Sir John in the control room. On the 8th day – BOOM! The bomb hits the comet exactly on time. The comet breaks into tiny bits. They float away safely. Earth is saved!
People cheer. Duttada returns home a hero. Indrani now smiles and says, “Maybe comets are not so bad!” Duttada looks at the sky and whispers, “Science is stronger than fear.” The story ends with hope – humans can face any danger if they work together with knowledge.
(Note: This is Part I. Part II comes in the next chapter!)
Who’s Who in the Story
- Duttada (Dutta Da): A simple, star-loving man who discovers the comet. He is quiet but brave.
- Indrani: Duttada’s wife. She is superstitious and believes comets bring bad luck.
- Sir John Macpherson: A calm and clever British scientist. He leads the secret plan to save Earth.
- Manoj Dutta: A young Indian scientist who helps in the mission. (He has the same last name but is not related to Duttada.)
- Experts and Leaders: Scientists from many countries who join the meeting and the project.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Main Ideas):
- Science vs Superstition: Duttada trusts facts; Indrani trusts old beliefs. Science wins!
- Teamwork Saves the Day: One person finds the comet, but many countries work together to stop danger.
- Courage in Crisis: Even when scared, people can think clearly and act fast.
- Wonders of Space: Comets are beautiful but can be dangerous – we must study them.
Moral (The Big Lesson):
Never let fear or old beliefs stop you from learning and acting. Science, hard work, and unity can solve even the biggest problems. Face the unknown with a clear mind and a brave heart!
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
- Comet – A big ball of ice and dust in space with a glowing tail, like a flying snowball.
- Telescope – A long tube with lenses to see faraway stars and planets clearly.
- Observatory – A special building with big telescopes to study the sky.
- Superstition – Believing in luck or magic without proof, like “a black cat brings bad luck.”
- Nuclear bomb – A very powerful bomb that can break anything – used here to save Earth.
- Spacecraft – A vehicle that flies in space, like a rocket or satellite.
- Project Light Brigade – The secret plan name – “Light” means hope, “Brigade” means team.
- Collision – When two things crash into each other, like two cars bumping.
- Orbit – The path a planet or comet follows around the Sun, like a running track.
- Yajna / Havan – A fire prayer ceremony to ask God for protection.