Stand On Ganymede
by Marc W. Polite

Stand On Ganymede tells the story of Aaron, a boy visiting his grandfather on a Saturday afternoon. With his father away on a Martian settlement, Aaron struggles with his sense of self.

Over the course of their afternoon together, Aaron’s grandfather, a retired exo-geologist, teaches him to:

• Observe the world with curiosity—examining ordinary rocks in the backyard as if they held clues to Ganymede’s frozen seas
• Find connection across distance—seeing how his father’s work on Mars and his grandfather’s memories of Jupiter’s moons both shape Aaron’s own identity
• Embrace patience and perspective—learning that geological time can help him see personal challenges as part of a larger, ever-evolving story
• Value intergenerational wisdom—understanding that each generation leaves behind discoveries and stories Aaron can build upon

By the end of the day, Aaron realizes that who he is isn’t defined solely by where his father is, but by the wonder he carries with him—whether he’s standing on Earth, Mars, or the icy plains of Ganymede.