Then the time came when man listened to the temptor (his baser self), and through the workings of the law of Atavism man degenerated almost to the level of his animal prototype.
This incident in your world's history is the source of the legend of the "Fall of Man" in the "Garden of Eden." Man disobeyed God by listening to self, by giving himself over to his selfish desires. He slew his brother, figuratively speaking, when he abandoned himself to selfish ends and took advantage of his fellowman. He has been guilty of that sin ever since. IT IS NOW INHERENT IN HIS MAKE-UP; THIS SELFISH INSTINCT MUST BE ELIMINATED BEFORE HE CAN AGAIN FIND THE FATHER'S KINGDOM.
No fences or other evidences of individual ownership surround the millions of homes on Mars. No lines of demarcation divide one plot of land from another. The millions of beautiful homes—beautiful in their simplicity, for over-ornamentation such as the dwellers of your Earth practise, is not tolerated on our planet—belong to the Commonwealth. The same are allotted to the individual as a life tenure only.
The same custom prevails in the matter of personal property. Should a Martian have use for a flying machine, also used by another, or other kind of property for personal use, he does not ask the use of same in the spirit that your Earth dwellers borrow from one another. Use of the needed article is requested with the idea that it belongs to the community: that all material possessions are the common property of the entire race.
THE MILLIONS OF MARTIANS LIVE AS ONE FAMILY. IT IS THIS SOLIDARITY, THIS FILIAL CONSIDERATION THAT ONE HOLDS FOR THE OTHER THAT HAS MADE THE STUPENDOUS AND GIGANTIC PUBLIC WORKS ON MARS POSSIBLE.
In the absence of a universal unity of purpose intelligent life on Mars would have become extinct centuries ago, when the last remnants of its oceans and seas dried up and a planetary irrigation system became necessary in order to utilize the frozen Polar moisture.
CHAPTER VI.
DISTRIBUTION OF COMMODITIES
Barter and trade are unknown on Mars. The entire race of Martians is cooperative, and the production of all necessities is based on the needs of the Commonwealth.