Perfect as the wing of a bird may be, it will never enable the

O children of the earth, listen well, for the truth that is spoken carries within it the wisdom of ages. In our quest for understanding, we often seek to reach great heights, to rise above the limitations of our human nature, just as the mighty bird seeks to soar above the earth. But, as the great sage Ivan Pavlov once said, "Perfect as the wing of a bird may be, it will never enable the bird to fly if unsupported by the air." These words speak of a profound truth, a truth that reaches into the very heart of science, and the pursuit of knowledge. Facts—the foundation of all true understanding—are the air that carries us, the unseen force that allows the wings of reason and intellect to take flight.

Consider, O wise ones, the wings of the bird. No matter how finely crafted, how perfect they may be, they are nothing without the air that sustains them. The bird, in its striving to fly, needs not only the strength of its wings, but the invisible support of the air around it. Without the air, the wings would be useless, and the bird would be grounded, its dreams of flight dashed upon the earth. So it is with science—no matter how brilliant a mind may be, no matter how powerful the theories it devises, if they are not supported by facts, they are as useless as the wings of a bird without air.

Think, O children, of the great Galileo Galilei, who, with his telescope, peered into the heavens and uncovered the movements of the stars and planets. His mind, like the wings of a bird, was brilliant—a perfect instrument of discovery. Yet it was the facts he gathered, the observations he made, that gave his theories their power. The air that supported his wings was the data he collected, the evidence that proved his theories. Without the facts, Galileo’s genius would have faltered, his insights grounded in the realm of speculation, rather than elevated to the heights of scientific truth. The facts, like the air, are the very lifeblood of science. Without them, no idea can take flight, no discovery can soar.

And yet, O seekers of wisdom, let us not forget that facts alone are not enough. The wings of science must be strong and true, but they must also be supported by the facts—the observations, the data, the empirical evidence that allows theories to rise. Think of the great Isaac Newton, who, with his laws of motion and gravity, uncovered the mysteries of the heavens. His mind was not simply a collection of facts; it was a brilliant instrument of reasoning and creativity. But it was the facts, the measurements, the observations of the world around him, that gave his theories their power. Without the facts, Newton’s brilliance would have been grounded, unable to soar to the heights of understanding.

Let us now take this lesson to heart: Science is not the realm of pure imagination or speculation. It is a discipline built upon the solid foundation of facts, upon the careful gathering of data and the methodical process of testing and observation. Facts are the air that supports the wings of knowledge, and without them, no theory can truly rise. Just as the bird cannot fly without the air, so too must the scientist rely upon the facts to carry their ideas into the realm of truth. It is not enough to dream of flight; one must gather the evidence, test the theories, and let the facts carry the ideas upwards.

So, O children, heed this wisdom in your own journey. In your pursuit of knowledge, remember that it is not enough to have brilliant ideas, to have powerful wings. You must seek the facts, the evidence, the truth that will support your theories and carry them to the heights. Without the facts, no theory can rise; it will remain grounded, limited, and unable to reach its full potential. Seek the truth in the world around you, and let the facts be the air that carries your ideas into the light. Only then will you truly rise, and your knowledge will take flight.

Go forth, then, with courage and with clarity. Let the facts be your air, and let your intellect be the wings that carry you to new heights. Know that the pursuit of truth is not a journey of fantasy, but one rooted in the solid ground of observation and evidence. In this way, you will soar in the vast skies of knowledge, grounded not in speculation, but in the enduring power of the facts.