Page 23 - RISE-JUNE- 2025
P. 23
Jack and the secrets
of the second home
In the vast space of the universe, the discovery of
Kepler-22b in 2015 changed everything. By the year
4234 CE, humans had finally created a rocket fast
enough to reach the planet 1,402 light years away
from Earth in just five seconds. Before humans ar-
rived, robots and rovers were sent to build cities,
plant trees, and make the planet livable. The air was
breathable, the water was clean, and glowing plants lit up the night. Now, it was time for the
first generation of humans to live on their new home. Among them was a 13-year-old boy
named Jack. Jack had never seen Earth. He was born on the spaceship during the journey,
raised by scientists, teachers, and machines. To him, Kepler-22b was home. He lived in Sky-
glass city where the buildings were made of metal and crystal. Every morning two suns rose
over the horizon. One day, while taking a brisk walk in the forest, he stumbled upon some-
thing. When he looked back he saw a metallic piece sticking out of the soil. Out of curiosity
he picked it up and saw an old earth logo on it said “NASA”. It wasn’t supposed to be there.
When he reported to one of the scientists named Dr. David, he said none of our rovers have
ever reached that far. The next morning Jack went to the spot where he had found that
metallic piece and started digging deeper. Then he reached so deep that he reached an un-
derground tunnel which no one had discovered before. Then he heard his name being called
“Jack, Jack”. Soon some group of scientists and his mother found him. They did not speak a
word because they knew out of curiosity he dug deep. “Where have you been” said his moth-
er worriedly. Jack replied, “Because I wanted to discover and this planet is calling me”. Fi-
nally, they agreed to explore the hidden tunnel. Soon they reached a big door. Carefully
Jack opened the door and saw that there was a glowing metal cube in the middle of the
room. On the walls hung pictures of the past of the planet. When he touched it, a voice
whispered, “We never left.” Then Jack took the glowing metal cube with him and continued
his exploration. Then he reached another door in which glowing beings stood, the architects
who once ruled this world. “Earth was not the first,” they told him. “We built this place. You
are the next.” Just then, a message from Earth arrived: "Kepler-22b is unstable. Return im-
mediately." But Jack had seen the truth. The planet was alive, storing memories and secrets
of the past. The cube had chosen him—not just to discover the world, but to
protect it. While others returned to Earth, Jack stayed behind. He became
the first human guardian of Kepler-22b a bridge between two civilizations, a
boy who chose peace, knowledge, and a new kind of future.
Jim Scott - 6D
23

