What I aim to portray with this short story was the essence of scientific scrutiny, but also the importance of conveying that knowledge.
A man marched into the woods one day. The greenery embraced him with fulfillment and content, the gazing sun shone bright enough for there to be complete lack of shadows. On such a wonderous day the mind is free to explore whatever, and explore, indeed it did.
For the man came upon a tree in the distance, a dull piece of wood with no significant outbursts of branches or variation in color. It was simple enough to make do with only a glimpse of its existence and then, the man thought, the history and the fate of the tree was known to him.
The wandering man went on, enticed by insignificance of it all. As his steps led him on, he curiously inspected the proud timber. A tree which became filled with cracks, fissures and ridges of colors varying in maroon. He went closer to inspect the crannies, which indeed were filled with various insects, seeds and nests. The tree was now a little more interesting.
However, as the man inspected the trunk his interest quickly faded, and he became eager to inspect more trunks. He figured they’d be more interesting and filled with creatures he’d never seen before. Before he could start to look around he followed the trail of an ant, walking up the side of the tree trunk. Before he knew it, the ant trailed of onto a branch and disappeared out of sight. The man was gasping for air, unmoving, paralyzed with awe.
A network of branches, twisting, wreathing and interweaving were exposed above him. The complex system of limbs, stretching for the outskirts of crown belittled him. He was overwhelmed with a sense of inadequacy and meager understanding of the intricacy which he once scorned. Humbled and ridiculed he sat down to ponder upon his lack of understanding.
The man’s body was now aching, and his muscles cramped. Yet, he was filled with excitement for he could finally understand. He had examined and contemplated every part of the tree to the best of his ability. He understood the vast complex which had once filled him with disdain. The miniscule structures of cells throughout the branch, the way in which the limbs reached for the sun and the giant underground network of roots were now his comrades. His interest was forever appeased.
Filled with joy and pride he sought for an apprentice whom he could enlighten with his newfound wisdom. He found a girl who was gathering flowers at sundown. The man told her about the cells, the limbs and the roots of the tree and tensely awaited her reaction. The girl was puzzled, as she looked at the tree in the distance. It seemed dull and insignificant to her, inadequate of the old man’s description which was filled with marvelously thought out descriptions of structures, mechanisms and consequences. The girl nodded and skipped away, giving the tree a last glance, before she forgot all about it.
Science for everyone 