12 Questions
Which event triggers the excitement among the schoolchildren in the story?
The prediction of a rain stoppage and the appearance of the sun
What makes Margot different from her classmates in the story?
Her exceptional memory skills
What makes today a special day for the schoolchildren in the story?
It is the day the rain stops and the sun appears on Venus
Why do Margot's classmates have no memory of the sun?
They have lived on Venus their whole lives
What sets Margot apart physically from her classmates in the story?
Her frail and pale appearance
Why does Margot barely participate in games with her classmates in the story?
She has a medical condition that restricts her movements
What was the main reason the other children bullied Margot?
For remembering the sun and the possibility of returning to Earth
What was the primary motivation behind William's bullying of Margot in the story?
Margot's prediction that the sun would come out that day
Why did Margot refuse to shower a month ago, as mentioned in the text?
She didn't want the water to touch her head
How did the children react upon seeing the sun after locking Margot in the closet?
They ran outside, shed their jackets, and marveled at the sun
What did the children observe around them after looking up at the sun?
Jungle-like vegetation with tangles of grey, white, and black
Why did the girl crying out attract the attention of the children after playing outside for an hour?
She discovered a single raindrop in her hand
Study Notes
The Story Setting
- The story takes place on the planet Venus, where a group of schoolchildren live with their parents who have traveled from Earth to establish a human settlement.
- The planet is characterized by almost non-stop rain, but scientists predict a rare rain stoppage and sun appearance once every seven years.
The Main Character: Margot
- Margot is a nine-year-old girl who is frail and pale, and unlike her classmates, she remembers the sun.
- She was brought to Venus five years ago with her parents, having spent her first four years on Earth.
- Margot is not doing well on Venus, away from the sun, and her parents are considering moving her back to Earth.
Margot's Experience
- Margot is bullied by her classmates who resent her for remembering the sun and possibly getting to return to Earth.
- She wrote a poem about the sun, which William, the class bully, accused her of not writing herself.
- Margot is further isolated when she refuses to shower, fearing water on her head.
The Sun's Appearance
- The day the sun is predicted to appear, the children gather around the window, excited to see it.
- William, the class bully, doubts the sun will come out, but Margot contradicts him, citing scientific predictions.
- The children, led by William, bully Margot, locking her in a closet just as the sun appears.
The Sun's Impact
- The children are amazed by the sudden silence and the beauty of the sun, preferring it to sun lamps.
- They spend two hours playing, running, and marveling at the sun, and exploring the jungle around them.
- The brief appearance of a raindrop marks the end of their sun-filled experience.
Explore a full plot summary of a science fiction short story about schoolchildren on Venus eagerly anticipating the rare appearance of the sun. The story unfolds as the children experience this unique event on the rainy planet.
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