  Extensive Air Showers are still the only source of information on primary
cosmic rays and their interactions at energies above PeV. However, this
information is hidden inside the multiplicative character of the cascading
process. Inspite of the great experimental and theoretical efforts the results
of different studies are often ambiguous and even conflicting. These
controversies can partly be referred to imperfections of our models of high
energy interactions. The first part of the paper is concerned with this
problem. The author thinks that the present models should be corrected to give
slightly deeper penetration of the cascade into the atmosphere. In this respect
the modification suggested by the QGSJET-II model seems to be the step in the
right direction. The Sibyll 2.1 model provides a similar penetrating
properties. However, this modification is not enough and a small additional
transfer of the energy from EAS hadrons to the electromagnetic component is
needed too. As a possible candidate for such a process the inelastic charge
exchange of pions is discussed. In the second part of the paper the author
discusses the need to account for the interaction of EAS with the stuff of
detectors, their environment and the ground in the light of the 'neutron
thunder' phenomenon, discovered recently.
