Pluto’s grouse

Pluto is refused entry into the Solar System... again! But his friends try to cheer him up with some fun facts about themselves.

Prologue: For some years after its discovery, Pluto was considered the ninth planet in our Solar System. But, in 2006, scientists decided it did not meet the definition of a planet, as its neighbourhood is not clear of other celestial objects. It is now called a Dwarf Planet.

“Who goes there? Stop! Stop at once!” cried Triton, Neptune’s moon. It was curious little Pluto who thought he would sneak into the Solar System Club without being noticed. But Triton, who was at the gate keeping a sharp watch, saw him.

“Once again you have crossed my master Neptune’s orbit to enter our Solar System,” Triton called sternly. “Wanted to spy on my master and other planets, eh? You do not belong to this club. Out you go!”

“But-but, it’s just not fair!” whined poor Pluto. “At one time, I too was a member of this exclusive club. Everybody knew me as Planet Pluto. Now they say I am not a planet. Can’t I hang around here for old time’s sake?”

“What’s all the buzz about?” called Planet Earth. “Oh, it’s you, Pluto, the icy chunk. Sorry, but they no longer consider you a planet here as per the rules. In fact, you hardly look like one. Look at you; even smaller than my moon. So, you had better go back to the Kuiper Belt beyond our Solar System where you belong.”

Just then along came Uranus, spinning on his side. “Hey you dwarf, I heard everything. You had better leave before the Sun sees you. You and all those other dwarfs in Kuiper’s belt are only the dead stuff left over after our Solar System was formed. No wonder they named you Pluto after the Greek God of the Dead.”

“And look at you!” retorted Pluto, trying to get one up on Uranus. “You can’t even spin standing straight; you can only roll on your side. One would think you are suffering from a permanent stomach ache, ha ha!”