Dad was very into electronics, robotics and computers, so I was

There are moments in a child’s life when the spark of destiny is passed like a torch from one hand to another — quietly, almost unknowingly. So it was when Rhianna Pratchett said, “Dad was very into electronics, robotics and computers, so I was interested in what he was doing.” In these humble words lies a truth that resonates through the ages: that curiosity, when nurtured by love and example, becomes the seed of greatness. It is not through lectures or commands that wisdom is best given, but through inspiration — through the simple act of a parent pursuing their own passion, and a child watching with wonder.

The meaning of this quote reaches deep into the heart of inheritance — not of gold or land, but of imagination and pursuit. Rhianna speaks of her father, the celebrated author Terry Pratchett, whose boundless creativity gave the world the Discworld novels — a universe where humor, philosophy, and wonder walk hand in hand. Her words show that his influence extended far beyond ink and paper; it reached into the world of technology, robotics, and computers — the frontier of human creation in their own right. In observing her father’s fascination with machines, Rhianna was not merely seeing a man at work; she was witnessing the dance of intellect and curiosity, and in that dance, she found her own rhythm.

There is a sacred lineage in the act of observation. Many of the world’s greatest minds were born not from instruction, but from exposure — from watching another’s passion and finding within it the reflection of their own soul. Think of Socrates and Plato, or Galileo and his daughter Maria Celeste, who, though cloistered in a convent, shared his burning reverence for the cosmos. Knowledge, like fire, spreads not by decree but by presence — one flame lighting another. Rhianna’s interest in her father’s craft is one such spark. Her curiosity was not imposed; it was ignited by proximity to wonder.

It is also no small thing that she speaks of electronics, robotics, and computers — symbols of humankind’s unending quest to create in its own image. Her father, though a master of words, found joy in the language of circuits and code. These were not distractions from art; they were new forms of storytelling, new ways to bridge the gap between mind and matter. In seeing this, Rhianna absorbed a vital lesson: that the boundaries between art and science are illusions. The creator’s spirit moves through both, whether shaping a sentence or a machine. Thus, her words remind us that creativity is not confined to the page, the brush, or the stage — it lives in every act of invention and every spark of curiosity.

From this simple memory — a daughter watching her father work — comes a timeless lesson about mentorship and legacy. The greatest teachers do not stand before their students; they walk beside them. They invite curiosity not by telling others what to love, but by loving openly themselves. When Rhianna saw her father’s fascination, she did not merely learn about technology; she learned about devotion, patience, and joy in discovery. In this way, every parent, every mentor, and every leader becomes a living example of what passion looks like — and in that example, they awaken the next generation’s dreams.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, who as a young apprentice watched his master Verrocchio paint the angel in “The Baptism of Christ.” When Leonardo’s hand touched the brush, his angel shone so brightly that Verrocchio is said to have put down his own brush forever, recognizing that his pupil had surpassed him. So too do the young learn by watching — and sometimes, through their curiosity, they carry the work further than their mentors ever dreamed. Rhianna’s journey — from observer to acclaimed writer and storyteller herself — is the continuation of that sacred pattern, the eternal conversation between generations.

So let this teaching be carried forward: example is the first language of wisdom. Live your passions so vividly that others cannot help but be changed by them. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or simply a soul among souls, know that your curiosity, your diligence, and your wonder ripple outward, shaping futures you may never see. As Rhianna Pratchett learned from her father, what we love becomes our legacy — and what we do with devotion becomes our gift to those who come after.

Therefore, awaken your curiosity and honor the sparks of others. Tinker with your own form of creation, whether it be art, science, or craft. Share your fascination openly, and let those around you see it. For in doing so, you become like the father she remembered — a light in the workshop, a mind in motion — whose quiet passion can awaken the dreams of generations yet unborn.