Overview
The diary entry from May 17, 2157, describes Margie and Tommy's discovery of a physical book about old-fashioned schools, prompting reflections on differences between past and present education.
Discovery of the Book
- Tommy, age 13, finds a real printed book in his attic and shares it with Margie, age 11.
- Both are surprised by the idea of reading from paper instead of screens, noting the permanence of printed words.
Margie's Reflections on Education
- Margie’s grandfather told her about a time when all stories were printed and pages had to be turned by hand.
- The children compare the real book to their television screens, which hold millions of digital books.
Mechanical Teaching and School Experience
- In 2157, teaching is done by mechanical teachers, not humans.
- Margie dislikes her school, especially after repeated geography tests she struggles to pass.
- A County Inspector repairs Margie's teacher when it malfunctions and assures her mother the settings were too advanced, now reset to her level.
- Margie wishes the mechanical teacher would be taken away like Tommy’s was, when it broke down for a month.
Contrast Between Old and New Schools
- Tommy explains the book is about old schools where human teachers taught groups of children in special buildings.
- Margie is skeptical about human teachers and the idea of learning with other children in person.
- They discuss how, in the past, schooling wasn’t personalized like with mechanical teachers, but all students of the same age learned together.
- Margie expresses curiosity about the old system, though her mother insists she return to her lessons.
Margie's Thoughts and Imagination
- Margie reluctantly resumes her arithmetic lesson with the mechanical teacher.
- She daydreams about the old schools: children learning, socializing, and helping each other.
- The story ends with Margie longing for the shared experiences and fun of the past.