"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."

--Carl Sagan

Art credit: Der Schmetterlingsjager by Carl Spitzweg

A little bedtime story for you.

Many centuries ago, a ruler of Arabia gave a celebration in honor of the birth of a son. Friends came from far and near bringing gifts of gold and fine raiment. One young sage came with a peculiar gift.

Said he, "Each day of your son's life, from the time he can understand until he reaches manhood, I shall tell him stories that will make him both wise and good."

The storyteller did as he promised, and when this baby became a man and a ruler in his father's stead, he became famous throughout the East because of his wisdom and noble deeds. Then his teacher-storyteller wrote upon a scroll (which, it is said, can be seen among a collection of manuscripts at Budapest today): "It was because of the seed sown by the tales."

"The more of heroes children know, the more like heroes they will become."

--From Storytelling by Claudia Royal

Art credit: Arabic Madonna and Child by Albert Aublet

"The value of Nature Study should not be measured by the acquisition of knowledge, but rather by the love and the profound reverence for the design and the protecting care revealed in the works and sky by an all-wise Creator."

--Anna McGovern

Art credit: The Eel Gatherers by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot