A Princess of Mars, Part 2

ANNOUNCER:  Now, the  Special English program, AmericanStories.

(MUSIC)

Lastweek we brought you the first of four programs called “A Princess of Mars.”   Our story is from a series of books by Americanwriter Edgar Rice Burroughs.  They are science fiction stories, a mix ofimagination and science.

Lastweek, we met John Carter who begins the story. He enters a cave deep in the desert in the state of Arizona.  There something happens. He does not know how, but he has been transported to the Red Planet, Mars.

Hequickly learns that gravity on Mars is much less than on Earth.  The lack of gravity makes him very strong.  He can even jump very high without trying.

Hefinds a low wall that surrounds a group of eggs. The eggs are opening.  Out come small, fierce-looking green creatures.  When we left John Carter, a green adult creaturecarrying a long sharp spear was coming toward him.

Andnow, the second program in our series,  “A Princess of Mars.”

(MUSIC)

JOHNCARTER:  The creature with the spear was huge.  There were many other similar creatures.  They had ridden behind me on the backs of largeanimals.  Each of them carried a collection ofstrange-looking weapons.

Theone with the large spear got down from the back of his animal and began walkingtoward me.    He was almost five meters tall and a dark greencolor.  Huge teeth stuck out of his face, and hisexpression showed much hate and violence.

Iimmediately knew I was facing a terrible warrior. He began moving quickly toward me with the spear. I was completely unarmed.  I could not fight. My only chance was to escape.

Iused all my strength to jump away from him. I was able to jump almost thirty meters. The green Martian stopped and watched my effort. I would learn later that the look on his face showed complete surprise. 

Thecreatures gathered and talked among themselves. While they talked, I thought about running away. However, I noticed several of them carried devices that looked very much likerifles.  I could not run.

Soon,all but one of the creatures moved away. The one who had threatened me stayed.  He slowly took off a metal band from his arm andheld it out to me.  He spoke in a strange language.

(SOUND)

JOHNCARTER:  Slowly, he laid down his weapons.  I thought this would have been a sign of peaceanywhere on Earth…why not on Mars, too? I walked toward him and in a normal voice announced my name and said I had comein peace.  I knew he did not understand, but like me, hetook it to mean that I meant no harm.

Slowly,we came together.  He gave me the large metal band that had beenaround his arm.  He turned and made signs with his hands that Ishould follow him.  Soon we arrived at the large animal he had beenriding. 

Heagain made a sign with his hands that I should ride on the same animal behindhim.  The group turned and began riding across theland.  We moved quickly toward mountains in thedistance.

(MUSIC)

JOHNCARTER:  The large animals we rode moved quickly acrossthe land.  I could tell from the surrounding mountains thatwe were on the bottom of a long dead sea. 

Intime we came to a huge city.  At first I thought the city was empty.  The buildings all were empty and in poor repair.  But soon I saw hundreds of the green warriors.  I also saw green women and children.  I soon learned about many cities like this.  The cities were built hundreds of years ago by apeople that no longer existed.  The green Martians used the cities.  They moved from one empty city to another, neverstopping for more than a day or two.

Wegot down from our animals and walked into a large building.  We entered a room that was filled with fiercegreen warriors. 

(SOUND)

Itwas not difficult to tell that these were the leaders of the green Martians.  One of them took hold of my arm.  He shook me and lifted me off the ground.  He laughed when he did so.  I was to learn that green Martians only laugh atthe pain or suffering of others.

Thishuge warrior threw me to the ground and then took hold of my arm again to pickme up.  I did the only thing I could do.  I hit him with my closed fist as hard as I could.

(SOUND)

Thegreen warrior fell to the floor and did not move. The others in the room grew silent.  I had knocked down one of their warriors withonly my hand. 

Imoved away from him and prepared to defend myself as best I could.  But they did not move. The green Martian that had captured me walked toward me.  He said in a clear voice:

TARSTARKAS:  "TARS TARKAS -- TARS TARKAS.”

JOHNCARTER:  As he spoke, he pointed to his own chest.  He was telling me his name!  I pointed to my chest and said my name, “JohnCarter.” 

Heturned and said the word, “Sola.”  Immediately, a green Martian woman came close.  He spoke to her. She led me to another building and into a large room. 

Theroom was filled with equipment carried by the green Martians.  She prepared something for me to eat.  I was very hungry. 

Ipointed to her and said the word “Sola.” She pointed at me and said my name.  It was a beginning. Sola was my guard.

Shealso became my teacher.  In time she would become a close and valuedfriend.  As I ate my meal, my lessons in the language ofthe green Martians continued.

(MUSIC)

JOHNCARTER:  Two days later, Tars Tarkas came to my room.  He carried the weapons and the metal armbands thegreen warriors wear.  He put them on the ground near my feet.  Sola told him I now understood some of theirlanguage.  He turned to me and spoke slowly.

TARSTARKAS:  The warrior you hit is dead.  His weapons and the metal of his rank are yours,John Carter.  He was a leader of one small group among ourpeople.  Because you have killed him, you now are aleader.

Youare still a captive and not free to leave. However you will be treated with the respect you have earned.  You are now a warrior among our people.

JOHNCARTER:  Tars Tarkas turned and spoke softly.  From beyond the door a strange creature enteredthe room.  It was bigger than a large dog and very ugly.  It had rows of long teeth and ten very shortlegs.   Tars Tarkas spoke to the creature and pointed atme.  He left.  The creature looked at me, watching closely.  Then Sola spoke about the creature.

SOLA:  His name is Woola. The men of our tribe use them in hunting and war. He has been told to guard and protect you. He has also been told to prevent your escape. There is no faster creature in our world.   And in a fight they can kill very quickly. Do not try to escape, John Carter.  Woola will tear you to small pieces. 

JOHNCARTER:  I continued to watch the creature named Woola.  I had already seen how the green Martians treatedother animals.  They were very cruel. 

Ithought, perhaps this beast can be taught to be my friend…much like a dog onEarth.  I walked close to the creature and began speakingin much the same way I would speak to a dog or other animal on Earth.

Isat down next to him while I talked softly. At first he seemed confused.  I believe the creature Woola had never heard akind word.

Forthe next several days I gained the trust and friendship of Woola.  In a few short days Woola was my friend andfierce protector.  He would remain my loyal friend as long as I wason Mars.

(MUSIC)

JOHNCARTER:  Several days later, Sola came to me with a lookof great concern.

SOLA:  John Carter…come with me. A great battle is about to take place.  An enemy is coming near this city.  We must prepare to fight and we must be ready toflee.

JOHNCARTER:  Sola, what enemy is this? 

SOLA:  A race of red men who travel our world in flyingmachines.  A great number of their machines have come overthe far mountain.  Take your weapons with you and hurry.

JOHNCARTER:  I collected my sword and a spear.  I hurried out of the building and joined a groupof warriors moving toward the end of the city. Far in the distance I could see the air ships. 

Theywere firing large guns at the green warriors. I heard huge explosions.  The green warriors were firing back with theirdeadly rifles.  The air was filled with the sound of violentbattle.

(SOUND)

Suddenlya huge air ship exploded.   It came down, crashing near me.  Red Martians were falling from the side of thehuge ship.  And then it exploded!

(SOUNDAND MUSIC)

ANNOUNCER:  You have been listening to the Special Englishprogram, American Stories.  This has been the second part of the story “APrincess of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burrows. This story was adapted for Special English by Paul Thompson. It was produced byPaul Thompson and Mario Ritter.

ShepO’Neal was the voice of John Carter.  Steve Ember was Tars Tarkas.  And Barbara Klein was Sola.  Join us again next week at this time as wecontinue “A Princess of Mars” in  Special English.