“A Piece of Wood” is a short story by Ray Bradbury about a young soldier who’s invented a remarkable device, one that could end modern warfare. Here’s a summary of “A Piece of Wood”.
“A Piece of Wood” Summary
A young sergeant is brought before a military Official, who’s heard rumors that he isn’t doing so well. The Official offers him a change in assignment, from his desk job to getting more into the fight.
The sergeant isn’t interested in the war; he wants peace. He’d like all the guns and other armaments to rust away during the night. The Official agrees peace would be nice but it’s not an option. He offers to send the sergeant to the Western or Northern War Zone.
The sergeant stays fixed on his idealistic preference—all the world’s weapons in ruins. The Official argues it wouldn’t make any difference. People would continue fighting with their fists and whatever makeshift weapons they could come up with. They’d still be filled with hate. The sergeant thinks the Official’s employment might have something to do with his view.
The sergeant reveals he could actually bring about the Rust he was referring to. With his background in physics and metallurgy, he invented a device that uses the ever-present water vapor in the air to undermine steel and other metals. It can target armaments without destroying buildings.
The Official fills out a form and wants the sergeant to visit Dr. Mathews for a complete checkup. The sergeant assures the Official he’s not lying. The device is very small and the effect extends nine hundred miles. Within a month of touring the world, every weapon could be gone. This conversation has clarified things for him and he’s decided to do it. He’s going to use his pass and leave in a few minutes.
The sergeant leaves and the Official calls Dr. Mathews. After consulting about the sergeant, he looks for his pen to make a note. He finds yellow-red dust in his pocket. Panicked, he ends his call with the doctor and calls the Guard Station. He orders the guard to stop the young man, Sergeant Hollis, by whatever means, shooting him if necessary.
The guard says he can’t shoot anyone. The Official can picture what’s happening—all the planes, tanks, trucks and guns disintegrating. The guard, who’s witnessing the scene, is awestruck. The Official orders him to stop Hollis with his bare hands.
The Official hangs up and reaches for his pistol, which has become a pile of brown rust. He throws a chair, good old-fashioned wood, against the wall and breaks it. He grips one of the chair legs tightly and tests it against his other palm. He rushes out in a fury.
I hope this summary of “A Piece of Wood” by Ray Bradbury was helpful.