[adapted]

by
H. G. Wells

Book One.
The Coming of the Martians

Chapter 1.
Before the War

No one believed that in the last years of the nineteenth century, intelligent beings were watching Earth. These beings were more advanced than humans, but they could still die. While people lived their normal lives, they were studied closely, like tiny creatures under a microscope. Humans felt safe and believed they ruled the world. They did not think space could bring danger.

Many people thought Mars might have life, but they imagined it was simple or friendly. They were wrong. On Mars, there were powerful minds. These minds were cold and careful. They looked at Earth with interest and made plans against it.

Mars is older than Earth. It is smaller and colder. Over time, it lost much of its heat, air, and water. Life on Mars faced a serious problem. The planet was dying. Because of this, the Martians became more intelligent and more focused on survival. They looked across space and saw Earth, a warmer world full of life. To them, humans were like animals.

The Martians believed they had to act to survive. Before judging them, we should remember that humans have also destroyed other species and even other human groups. Like humans, the Martians chose war.

For many years, scientists watched Mars but did not understand what they saw. Strange lights appeared on the planet. These were signs of Martian activity. Around 1894, a bright light was seen. Later, more strange marks appeared. At the time, no one understood their meaning.

Then, about six years before the main events, something important happened. A scientist named Lavelle saw a large burst of hot gas on Mars. It moved very fast toward Earth. He described it as a huge flame shot from a gun. This was the first cylinder sent to Earth. But most people did not pay attention to the news.

I learned about it from Ogilvy, a well-known astronomer. He was very excited and invited me to his observatory. That night, we watched Mars through a telescope. It looked small and calm, just a point of light in the sky. It was hard to believe anything dangerous could come from it.

While we watched, we saw a small flash on Mars. Another shot had been fired. Another cylinder was on its way to Earth. We did not understand what it meant. No one on Earth imagined the danger.

More flashes appeared over the next ten nights. Each time, another cylinder was sent. Scientists discussed it, but most people continued their normal lives. Newspapers wrote small notes, but there was no real fear.

At that time, I was busy with my own work and daily life. One evening, I walked with my wife. We looked at the stars, and I pointed out Mars. It was bright and peaceful in the sky. Around us, everything felt calm. People were going home, trains were moving, and lights shone in the distance. The world seemed safe. No one knew that danger was already on its way.

Chapter 2.
The Falling Star

The first cylinder came on a quiet night. People saw a bright light in the sky. It moved fast and left a green line behind it. Many thought it was just a falling star. No one looked for it that night.

Ogilvy saw it and believed it was important. Early the next morning, he went out to find where it had landed. He found it on Horsell Common, near the sand pits. The ground was broken open. Sand and stones were thrown far away. Some plants were burning, and thin smoke rose into the air.

The object was large and partly buried in the sand. It was a big metal cylinder. It was about thirty yards wide. Its surface was dark and rough from the heat. It was still very hot, so Ogilvy could not go too close.

He stood and looked at it. The morning was very quiet. There was no wind, and no birds. Then he heard a faint sound from inside the cylinder. At first, he thought the sound came from the metal cooling. But then he saw something strange. Pieces of the outer layer were falling off the end of the cylinder. He moved closer to look. Then he saw that the top of the cylinder was slowly turning. It was opening.

At first, he did not understand. Then suddenly he realized the truth. The cylinder was not natural. It was a machine. Ogilvy was shocked.

“Good heavens!” Ogilvy said. “There are men inside. They are trying to get out!”

He thought there might be people inside, trapped and burning. He wanted to help, but the heat was too strong. He could not touch it. He ran to the town to get help. On the way, he tried to tell people, but they did not believe him. They thought he was crazy. Finally, he spoke to Henderson, a journalist. Henderson listened carefully. Then he quickly went with Ogilvy back to the common (a large open area of land with grass and sand).

When they arrived, the cylinder had opened a little more. There was a thin line of shiny metal where the top was turning. They heard a soft hissing sound, like air moving in or out. They called out, but there was no answer. They tapped on the metal, but still nothing. They thought the creature inside might be dead or unconscious.

They could not open it. So they went back to town to get more help. Henderson sent a message to London.

By morning, people began to hear the story. Many believed there were “men from Mars” inside the cylinder. I heard about it from a newspaper boy. I was surprised and worried. I went at once to Horsell Common to see it for myself.

Chapter 3.
On Horsell Common

When I arrived at Horsell Common, I saw a small crowd around the pit. About twenty people stood there, looking at the cylinder. The ground around it was burned, as if there had been an explosion.

Ogilvy and Henderson were not there. They had gone away for a time. Some boys were sitting near the edge of the pit. They were throwing stones at the cylinder. I told them to stop, and they moved away to play. The rest of the people stood quietly and watched. Most people did not understand what they were seeing.

“What is it?” someone said. “Is there something inside?”

The cylinder looked strange, but not frightening. It lay still and silent. Some people expected to see dead bodies inside, but nothing happened.

I climbed down into the pit. I thought I heard a faint sound under my feet, but the cylinder was no longer moving. Up close, the object looked even more unusual. The metal was not like anything I knew. Still, I believed it came from Mars. But I did not think there was anything alive inside. I thought the opening might be a machine working by itself.

I imagined what might be inside. Perhaps messages, or objects from another world. I wanted to see it opened. Around midday, I left and went home, but I could not focus on my work.

In the afternoon, everything changed. Newspapers spread the news quickly. Many people came to see the cylinder. There were carriages, bicycles, and crowds walking in the heat. When I returned, there were many more people. Some even brought food and drinks to sell. The ground was still black from the fire.

Near the pit, I saw Ogilvy and Henderson again. With them was Stent, an important astronomer. Some workers were digging around the cylinder. Ogilvy asked me to help control the crowd. Too many people were getting too close. He said they still heard faint sounds from inside, but they could not open the cylinder.

I agreed to help. I went to find Lord Hilton to ask for support, but he was not at home. I decided to wait for him at the station.

Chapter 4.
The Cylinder Opens

When I returned to the common, the sun was setting. A large crowd had gathered. There was noise and movement near the pit. People were shouting, “Keep back!” A boy ran past me and said the cylinder was opening. He was afraid and going home.

I moved closer. There were now hundreds of people. Everyone pushed forward to see. I heard a low humming sound from the pit.

“It’s opening!” someone shouted.

“Keep back!” Ogilvy cried.

A young man had fallen into the pit and was trying to climb out.

The top of the cylinder was turning. A long piece of metal was coming out. Then suddenly, the lid fell off with a loud sound. For a moment, the inside looked completely dark. Everyone expected to see a man come out. But something else appeared.

I saw a grey movement inside. Then I saw two large, shining eyes. A long, thin shape moved in the air like a snake. Then another. Fear spread through the crowd. People began to move back.

Slowly, a large body rose from the cylinder. It was round and wet-looking. It moved with difficulty. Its eyes looked straight at me. It had no clear face like a human. Its mouth moved strangely. Thin tentacles reached out from its body. The creature looked terrible and unnatural. I felt fear and disgust.

Suddenly, it slipped and fell into the pit. Another Martian appeared behind it. I turned and ran. I could not stop looking back as I moved away. Around me, people stood in shock or ran in fear.

From a distance, I saw a man trying to climb out of the pit. Then he disappeared. I think he died, but I did not go back to help. Everyone stood far away now, watching in silence. No one understood what they had seen. But we all knew something was very wrong.

Chapter 5.
The Heat-Ray

After I saw the Martians, I could not move. I stood in the grass and looked at the pit. I felt both fear and strong curiosity.

I did not want to go closer, but I wanted to see more. I walked in a wide circle, trying to find a better place to look. At one moment, I saw long, thin shapes moving in the air, like arms. Then I saw a tall rod rise up, with a round object at the top. It moved slowly. People stood in small groups around the pit. They were quiet and unsure. I spoke to one man near me, but he only said again and again how ugly the creatures were.