NCERT Book Class 10 English (Foot Prints Without feet) Chapter 5 Footprints without Feet

Footprints without Feet 5
Can a man become invisible? This is the
story of a scientist who discovers how to
make himself invisible. Does he use, or
misuse, his discovery?

READ AND FIND OUT
• How did the invisible man first become visible?
• Why was he wandering the streets?

THE two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair
of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house,
in the middle of London? And where was the man?
As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark
appeared from nowhere!
Further footprints followed, one after another, descending the steps
and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until
the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter, and at last
disappeared altogether.
The explanation of the mystery was really simple enough. The
bewildered boys had been following a scientist who had just discovered
how to make the human body transparent.
Griffin, the scientist, had carried out experiment after experiment
to prove that the human body could become invisible. Finally he
swallowed certain rare drugs and his body became as transparent as
a sheet of glass — though it also remained as solid as glass.
Brilliant scientist though he was, Griffin was rather a lawless
person. His landlord disliked him and tried to eject him. In revenge
Griffin set fire to the house. To get away without being seen he had to
remove his clothes. Thus it was that he became a homeless wanderer,
without clothes, without money, and quite invisible — until he
happened to step in some mud, and left footprints as he walked!