The Frogs of Mars

Name: The Frogs of Mars
Author: Roger Dee Aycock

In a bar during the first broadcast from Mars, a mysterious little man enters, displaying a mix of disdain and familiarity. He orders a bourbon and engages in a conversation with the bar's patrons, who are eagerly awaiting news from Colonel Sanderson's Mars expedition. The little man expresses skepticism about Mars, claiming it is not what people expect, and insists it is filled with fish and frogs, which surprises the others. As the broadcast begins, Colonel Sanderson describes the conditions on Mars, contradicting popular beliefs about the planet's landscape. He reveals that the crew is surrounded by marshland and plagued by incessant croaking from the frogs. The little man, who is later revealed to be a member of Sanderson's crew, appears guilty and defensive about his presence in the bar. The broadcast highlights the harsh realities of Mars, including the mental strain caused by the environment. The little man’s knowledge of Mars raises suspicions among the patrons, leading to the realization that he may have deserted the mission. As the broadcast continues, the little man mysteriously disappears, leaving behind wet marks on the floor, suggesting he may have teleported away. The protagonist deduces that the frogs on Mars might possess intelligence and the ability to mimic human forms, leading him to conclude that the little man could be a Martian in disguise. He leaves the bar, determined to investigate further, hinting at a deeper connection between the frogs and the crew's fate on Mars. The narrative explores themes of perception versus reality, the unknown, and the potential for intelligent life beyond Earth.

By Roger Dee Aycock · First published 1971 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction · 3,044 words

First lines

The little guy comes into the bar just as the first Marscast is about to start. He scoffs at scientific facts and keeps mumbling about --

There was nothing special about the little man who came into Larry's place, unless it might have been his air of vague familiarity and the mixed expression on his face. He looked disgusted and defensive and at the same time a little resentful, with a dash of something else thrown in which none of us recognized until later.

What this Textopian page supports

The Frogs of Mars is listed on Textopian as a novel by Roger Dee Aycock, dated 1971 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Roger Dee Aycock
Date: 1971 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Humor, Adventure
Length: 3,044 words
Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Science Fiction — The plot revolves around a Mars expedition and explores themes of extraterrestrial life and advanced technology.
Fantasy — The presence of intelligent frog-like beings and teleportation introduces fantastical elements.
Speculative Fiction — The narrative speculates on the nature of life on Mars and challenges existing scientific beliefs.
Humor — The dialogue includes comedic elements, particularly through the interactions at the bar and the little man's deadpan remarks.