Mr. Caxton draws a Martian bird

"Mr. Caxton Draws a Martian Bird" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction tale that follows Peter and Susan Ashley, two siblings under the disdainful watch of Mr. Caxton while their parents explore the Martian landscape. It's a story where youthful imagination collides with adult disbelief, especially when Peter claims to have spotted a peculiar bird on Mars, a claim that Mr. Caxton vehemently rejects. The narrative builds around their struggle for acknowledgment against Mr. Caxton’s scorn, leading to a turning point where Peter’s unique vision of the Martian bird becomes a reality. In the end, Mr. Caxton’s bitterness leads to his destruction when he's confronted with the actual bird, serving as a warning about the cost of adult cruelty and the power of a child's imagination.