CHAPTER XIV -Gulliver of Mars

In Chapter XIV of “Gulliver of Mars,” our protagonist encounters an affable woodman while journeying through a Martian forest. Appreciating his company, he agrees to spend the night at the woodman’s humble yet welcoming cabin by a lagoon. The setting is picturesque, nestled among trees with the aroma of bark used for tanning permeating the air. This night introduces him to the commonalities of daily life on Mars including their food, drink, and hospitality. They share a hearty meal of toasted aru fruit and bread flavored with dried fish, washed down with strong ale, leading to an evening filled with laughter and storytelling.

The protagonist marvels at the cultural and technological parallels between Earth and Mars, emphasizing the universality of certain human experiences across galaxies. Despite the differences, he finds common ground in the simple joys of sharing a meal and stories. However, the conversation takes a darker turn as the woodman shares local legends of haunted places and advises against wandering off the path. This advice goes unheeded, as the following morning our wanderer inadvertently takes a forbidden road while seeking Ar-hap’s capital.

Lost amidst the Martian wilderness, he comes across more locals and observes their way of life from a distance, including a stone craftsman. Their interaction sheds light on the development of tools and weapons on Mars, hinting at a shared history of innovation driven by necessity across civilizations. Despite friendly exchanges, the conversation with the stone craftsman almost turns deadly, revealing the underlying hostility and precariousness of survival on this foreign planet.

As he continues his journey, the protagonist faces natural obstacles, including a misguiding fog that eventually leads him to a ghostly city, accompanied by the wails of unseen children. This city, he realizes with a shock, is the haunted domain of Queen Yang—a place of ancient ruins and sorrowful spirits, which he was explicitly warned to avoid. This twist highlights the protagonist’s disregard for local wisdom, setting the stage for an exploration of the unknown and the forbidden history of Mars.

Through descriptive scenes of Martian life and the looming mystery of Queen Yang’s city, the chapter bridges the familiar with the fantastic, emphasizing the universal curiosity and fear of the unknown that drives exploration and storytelling.