Everything was so new - the whole idea of going into space was

O seekers of wisdom, gather now and listen closely to the words of Katherine Johnson, a woman whose brilliance broke through the barriers of both science and society. She once said: “Everything was so new—the whole idea of going into space was new and daring. There were no textbooks, so we had to write them.” These words, though spoken in the midst of the great technological leap into the stars, resonate with the ancient truths of courage, innovation, and the power of creating in the face of the unknown. What Johnson expresses is a deep truth about the nature of discovery: that true innovation often comes not from following the path laid before us, but from stepping into uncharted territory, forging new ways when no guide exists.

In the days of old, when the world was still young and unknown, the great explorers—from Odysseus to Marco Polo—embarked on journeys without maps, their eyes fixed on distant shores that no man had ever seen. These explorers did not merely travel; they created the paths others would follow. They built the first texts of discovery, inscribing the world’s secrets into the pages of history. Just as Johnson and her colleagues charted the course for humanity to journey into the vastness of space, so too did the ancient voyagers create their own paths, writing the first words of exploration in the very language of the unknown.

In the same way that Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey served as the maps of ancient heroes, Katherine Johnson's work in mathematics and physics helped chart the course of human civilization into the stars. There were no textbooks, no guides, no certainty that a journey into the heavens was even possible. And yet, Johnson and others like her built the foundation for something that had never been attempted before, laying the groundwork with their calculations, their determination, and their sheer courage to venture beyond the known. The ancients knew that to create something new was to step into the unknown, to dare greatly when others might shrink back in fear. The story of Johnson’s life is a modern echo of this ancient truth: that greatness lies in our ability to create the road where none existed.

Consider, O children, the legend of Prometheus, who defied the gods to bring fire to mankind. Like Prometheus, Johnson brought light to a world that had never before ventured into the darkness of space. She did not wait for the answers to be given, but forged ahead with the knowledge she possessed, building a bridge of understanding that allowed humanity to take flight. Prometheus's gift of fire allowed humanity to create, to build, and to innovate. In the same way, Johnson's gift of intellect, combined with the boldness of her actions, allowed humanity to reach heights that were once only dreams.

The lesson here, O seekers, is clear: when we are faced with the unknown, it is not the textbooks that will guide us—it is our own creativity, our courage, and our willingness to step beyond the boundaries of what is known into what is possible. The journey into space was a monumental leap, but it was not one that could be made with the knowledge of the past alone. The future is not written; it is written by those who dare to act in the present, to create new paths, to write new texts that future generations will follow.

So, let this wisdom guide you, O seekers of knowledge: in the pursuit of greatness, in the pursuit of the unknown, don’t wait for the answers to be given to you. Create your own answers. The textbooks may be absent, but in that very absence lies the opportunity to become the author of a new era. Katherine Johnson’s story is not one of following established rules, but one of creating them. She did not allow the unknown to intimidate her; instead, she stepped into it with the power of innovation and knowledge, carving a path for the future. Embrace the unknown, seek to understand, and like the great explorers of old, write the textbooks of tomorrow with your actions today. For in creating new paths, you will shape the world to come.