Little men of space

"Little Men of Space" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction story that tells the tale of John Elwood, a father about to launch his own small rocket into space, but soon his children, Melvin and Mary Anne, find themselves in a battle against tiny, advanced aliens. These extraterrestrial beings want to take over Elwood's rocket for their own escape, leading to a mental showdown where the children are trapped in a struggle for survival. Melvin's cleverness helps him to use developing mental abilities to outsmart the aliens, stopping their sinister plans just in time. The story mixes horror with the themes of childish imagination, showing how kids can use their unique perspectives to solve problems that seem impossible, and touches upon the fine line between what's real and what's not, alongside highlighting the results of parental ambition and childhood wonder.