“The children, small seeds, might at any instant be sown to all the Martian climes.”

what is the metaphor

The metaphor in this sentence is "the children, small seeds." It is comparing the children to small seeds, suggesting that they have the potential to grow and flourish in various environments, just like seeds have the potential to grow into different types of plants in different climates.

what does the sentence mean

The sentence suggests that the children (referred to as "small seeds") have the potential to be influenced and impacted by various Martian environments or circumstances. It implies that the children are vulnerable and adaptable, capable of growing and developing in different situations they encounter on Mars.

“They saw the old cities… lying like children’s delicate bones among the blowing lakes of grass”

what is the simile

The simile in this sentence is "lying like children's delicate bones among the blowing lakes of grass." It compares the old cities to children's delicate bones, emphasizing their fragility and vulnerability. It further describes the cities as being scattered or dispersed, like bones among the blowing lakes of grass.

“This was the moment Mars had waited for. Now it would eat them.”

There is no simile in this sentence. Instead, it portrays personification by giving the planet Mars human-like qualities. Mars is personified as if it has been eagerly waiting for this specific moment and now, it is personified as if it is ready to consume or destroy the subject being referred to as "them".

what does it mean

The sentence suggests that Mars, the planet, has been anticipating or waiting for a specific moment, possibly in relation to the individuals or the situation being discussed. The use of the phrase "Now it would eat them" implies that Mars will now unleash its power or destructive forces upon those individuals, potentially putting them in great danger or causing harm. This sentence creates a sense of impending doom or threat associated with the arrival of this long-awaited moment.