Essence of Tutoring by World-Famous Figures - Greatness is Cultivated

Author: Sun Liqiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Galileo gathered wood, knives, threads, and other tools. It took him three days and nights, and his hands were scratched multiple times, but he finally made a puppet. He painted a face on the puppet and showed it to his sisters. Indeed, the two sisters cheered and immediately became attracted to this new toy. Galileo, however, was not very happy because the puppet still moved stiffly and could only perform simple actions. Something was wrong? He thought about it again. "Look at how I walk, Galileo," Vincenzo intentionally prompted him. Galileo stared at his father walking back and forth in the living room and suddenly had an epiphany: "I know! People have joints!" Galileo snatched the puppet from his sister's hand and immediately set to work improving it. He tried again, and lo, it worked! Galileo could not stop there and used scraps of cloth instead of wood. He made several more puppets and even wrote a puppet show for his sisters, assigning roles to each of them. As for himself, he naturally had more time to think deeply about problems. However, he also became obsessed with handicrafts and often made things by hand.
In 1572, Galileo was already 8 years old. He was short and a bit chubby, but this did not hinder his keen observation and sharp thinking. One evening after dinner, Vincenzo took the whole family for a walk to the Pisa Square. Galileo and his sisters ran and jumped happily on the square, like a joyful flock of sheep. Suddenly, Galileo ran to Vincenzo's side and pointed at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, asking curiously, "Dad, why is that tower tilted?"
"Oh, you mean the Leaning Tower of Pisa. When this tower was being built, due to some calculation errors, it began to lean even before it was completed," Vincenzo said casually.
"Why doesn't it fall over?" Galileo clearly was not satisfied with his father's answer.
"Well, I'm not sure about that either. But this tower has become a miracle in the history of world architecture," Vincenzo replied.
"When I grow up, I will definitely uncover this mystery!" Galileo said confidently, then turned and ran off.
Watching Galileo's retreating figure, Vincenzo and his wife discussed it. Vincenzo said, "Honey, don't you think our son is a genius? He always observes more carefully and thinks more deeply than other children."
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