What Is The Main Message of The Fun They Had?
“The Fun They Had” is the first chapter of the Class 9 English textbook - Beehive. It is a story about how computers play an important role and dominate humans in the future. How traditional schools will be replaced by virtual schools and robotic teachers. How do future students see traditional school? Do they like virtual classes? Here is the prose summary of “The Fun They Had”.
Summary of the Story “The Fun They Had”
Isaac Asimov is the author of the story "The Fun They Had", who visualizes his views on the future. The story takes place in the future where books and schools are digitally conducted through virtual classrooms. These classes are taken by a mechanic (robotic) teacher instead of a human class teacher. The story starts with two Children- Margie and Tommy. They are living in the world of the future where computers control everything. With the advent of virtual schools, the concept of books and classrooms has undergone a considerable transformation from the old days.
On May 17, 2157, Margie wrote in her diary about how Tommy came up with a real book. It is an old book that consists of stories. Margie remembers her grandfather, who once told that when he was younger, his grandfather used to study through printed books. Tommy and Margie were excited and started to turn the yellow crumpled pages of the book to learn more about the ancient days. They found it hilarious to read the book as the words stood at a place instead of moving around as they saw it on a computer screen. From here, it is clear that in the future there will be only telebooks and that no paper copies of the books will be available. Tommy proclaims that it is absolutely useless to read a book and throw it away once completed. He feels that their monitor screen has millions of books and can store even more without throwing after use.
Soon after they started reading about school in the ancient days, they found that the teachers were actual human beings rather than mechanical (robotic) teachers. Though Margie hated the concept of schools, she was surprised about the human teachers at the school. Margie and Tommy don't even know about physical schools, as they both study in a virtual classroom that is filled with electronic gadgets, robots, etc. They study their lessons through computer screens that teach them all the subjects like Maths, Science, etc. Margie remembers that Margie's mother once called a County Inspector to fix the mechanical device on which Margie attends the virtual classes. He fixed the big black screen together again on which all the lessons were displayed and questions were asked. But the little girl was so disappointed as the device got fixed sooner. She needs to put the homework and test papers through a punch code.
As they both continue to read the book, Margie’s mother calls her to attend the classes. Margie attends her class on fractions, taught by the mechanical teacher. But, her mind starts wondering about the fun their grandparents had while attending school in the olden days. In the olden days, the school used to be a special place where all the students of dame age studied together. She started to imagine how the kids from different areas come together and attend the school happily. Thereby, Margie gets strongly attracted to the fun the children had in the ancient time when they went to a real, physical school.
Important Characters
Margie- A 11 year old little girl living in the 22nd century and has a habit of writing diaries. She hates virtual school and her mechanical teacher but is interested in knowing the olden era of school.
Tommy- He is a 13 year old boy and friend of Margie. He likes reading books and brings an old book to Margie’s house.
Mechanical Teacher- A robotic teacher which has black and ugly look. All the lessons and questions are asked by him.
County Inspector- A little man with a red face has a box of tools, dials and wires. He fixes Margie’s television quickly.
FAQs on The Fun They Had Summary: Key Points & Insights
1. What is the main difference between Margie's school and the schools of the past described in the book?
The story highlights a stark contrast between two educational models. The schools of the past, which fascinate Margie, were completely different from her home-based schooling. The key differences are:
- Location: Past schools were in a special building where all children went. Margie’s school was a room in her own house.
- Teachers: Past schools had human teachers who taught groups of students. Margie was taught by a mechanical (robotic) teacher tailored only to her.
- Social Interaction: Students in the past learned and played together with peers of the same age. Margie studied alone, lacking any classmates or social engagement.
- Learning Materials: Past education used printed paper books with words that stayed still. Margie’s learning was done on a screen with 'telebooks', which had moving text.
2. Who are the main characters in 'The Fun They Had' and what do they represent?
The story has four key characters, each representing a different aspect of its theme:
- Margie: An 11-year-old girl who represents curiosity and dissatisfaction with a purely technological education. She longs for the human connection she reads about in the old book.
- Tommy: A 13-year-old boy who is more accustomed to the futuristic world but still finds the old book interesting. He represents the discovery of the past.
- The Mechanical Teacher: A large, black, and impersonal robot that symbolises the cold and isolating nature of education without human touch.
- The County Inspector: A technician who repairs the mechanical teacher. He represents the human element that still exists to manage and maintain the technology, showing that machines are not entirely independent.
3. Why did Margie dislike her mechanical teacher and her school?
Margie's dislike for her school was multifaceted. She hated the impersonal nature of her mechanical teacher, which had a slot where she had to submit homework and tests using a punch code. Her hatred intensified when the geography sector was geared too quickly for her level, causing her to perform poorly. The machine lacked empathy or the ability to adapt in a human way. Ultimately, she disliked the loneliness and mechanical routine of her education, which offered no interaction, fun, or laughter with other children.
4. What was the 'real book' that Tommy found, and why was it so unusual for them?
The 'real book' Tommy found was a traditional printed book made of paper. Its pages were yellow and crinkly, and the words on them were static—they did not move as words did on their screens. This was highly unusual for Margie and Tommy, who were used to 'telebooks' displayed on a television or computer screen. The idea of a book that couldn't store infinite stories and had to be physically turned over was a strange and fascinating concept from a bygone era.
5. What is the significance of the title 'The Fun They Had'?
The title, 'The Fun They Had,' is significant because it encapsulates the story's central theme and Margie's final realisation. The 'fun' does not refer to academic enjoyment but to the social and interactive experiences of the old-school system. Margie imagines children from different houses coming together, laughing, shouting, helping each other with homework, and being taught by a real person. The title reflects her longing for this human connection, which she concludes was the most valuable part of the education her ancestors had and which is completely absent from her own isolated, mechanised learning.
6. How does the story explore the theme of technology's impact on human relationships?
The story serves as a commentary on the potential drawbacks of over-reliance on technology. While Margie's education is highly personalised and efficient, it completely removes the human element. The mechanical teacher can deliver lessons but cannot inspire, empathise, or foster community. The story suggests that an education system driven solely by technology can lead to social isolation and a loss of the collaborative skills and friendships that are naturally built in a traditional school environment. It poses the question of whether efficiency should come at the cost of human interaction.
7. Besides technology, what is the main message about the nature of education in the story?
Beyond its commentary on technology, the story suggests that true education is not just about absorbing facts and data. It is a holistic and social experience. The 'fun' the children had in the past came from shared learning, mutual help, and direct interaction with teachers and peers. The author, Isaac Asimov, implies that education should adapt to the student's pace and emotional needs—something Margie's mechanical teacher fails to do until repaired. The story champions a model of education that is collaborative, humane, and engaging, rather than a solitary, mechanical process.
