Chapter 1: The Fun They Had

Author: Isaac Asimov

Point-wise Summary

• The story is set in the year 2157.
• Margie, 11 years old, writes in her diary about a real book Tommy found.
• Tommy, 13, discovers an old printed book about school from the past.
• The concept of printed pages amazes both children, as they are used to telebooks.
• They learn that earlier, children went to actual buildings called schools.
• Teachers were real humans, not machines.
• Margie dislikes her mechanical teacher due to her poor performance in geography.
• A County Inspector repairs the machine and reassures her mother.
• Margie wonders about the fun children had in the olden days when they learned together.
• The story ends with Margie reflecting on how different and joyful old schools must have been.

Theme

• Contrast between traditional and future education systems.
• Social interaction as a key part of learning.
• Overdependence on technology in education.
• Nostalgia for a simpler, more connected past.

Important Characters

• Margie: Curious, sensitive, and dislikes mechanical schooling.
• Tommy: More knowledgeable, finds the old book, and shares its content with Margie.
• Mechanical Teacher: A computerized teaching device assigned to each child.

Word Meanings

• Crinkly – With many folds or wrinkles
• Slot – Narrow opening to insert homework/tests
• Loftily – Arrogantly or proudly
• Dispute – Argument or disagreement
• Sorrowfully – In a sad or regretful manner

Important Questions and Answers

1. What fascinated Margie and Tommy about the old book?
They were amazed that it was printed on paper and did not move like their digital books.

2. What differences did they find between their schools and the old ones?
Old schools had human teachers and students studied together. Their school involved robotic teachers and solitary study at home.

3. Why did Margie hate her school?
She disliked the mechanical teacher and the frequent tests. Her performance in geography was poor, making her dislike learning even more.

4. What does Margie imagine about the old schools?
She imagines children laughing and shouting in the schoolyard, studying and sitting together, and being taught by a real person.

5. What is the message of the story?
Human connection and group learning are vital in education. Machines can’t replace the emotional and social aspects of real schooling.

Grammar Focus

Reported Speech Example

• Direct: Tommy said, “It’s a book.”
• Indirect: Tommy said that it was a book.