Childhood's End

The narrative jumps ahead to the 50-year mark, when Karellen reveals himself. At this point, the Overlords have occupied Earth for 55 years. It is also revealed that only Karellen’s ship was real. The hovering ships over most of the Earth were an illusion. Karellen’s ship settles in a plain in the middle of the United States, a gangplank emerges, and Karellen invites two children to come into the ship. After a few seconds of held breath, in which the narration recalls the story of the pied piper, Karellen comes out on the gangplank with the two children settled on his arms—Karellen is a devil. The fear, followed by rapid acceptance, illustrates an element of The Relationship Between Science and Mysticism.

In the 55 years that the Overlords have ruled over Earth, there has been a significant shift to a utopic society worldwide. War has ended, education is universal, and production is largely automated, which has eliminated the necessity of work for humans. The only people who work are those who want further luxuries beyond a standard of comfort. Hunger, disease, hatred, and crime have essentially disappeared in the wake of the technological advances brought by the Overlords.