One Martian Afternoon

"One Martian Afternoon" by Tom Leahy is a science fiction story that examines a young Earth girl named Marilou's life in a Martian colony and explores themes of cultural differences, childhood innocence, and the difficulties of living on another planet. Marilou interacts with her Martian aunt, Twylee, revealing both her curiosity and the prejudices she has learned from her father about Martians. As they discuss Marilou's father's opinions, the story's tone darkens, hinting that these prejudices may have serious consequences. A storm arrives, leading to a shocking event that shatters Marilou's innocence and makes readers think about the fragility of civilization and the fears that can lead people to take drastic actions.