'Curiosity' the Powerful Thing


A woman approached Dr. Louis Agassiz, a distinguished American naturalist, after a lecture he gave in London. She complained that she had never really had a chance to learn because of her lot in life. She and her sister ran a boarding house and she simply didn't have time for anything else. After listening to the woman's story, Dr. Agassiz responded, "Do you say madam, you never had a chance? What do you do?" She replied, "I skin potatoes and chop onions."

He then inquired, "Madam, where do you sit during these interesting but Homely duties?”

"On the bottom step of the kitchen stairs."

"Where do your feet rest?"

"On the glazed brick."

"What is glazed brick?"

"I don't know, sir."

"How long have you been sitting there?"

"Fifteen years."

'Curiosity' the Powerfuk Thing

Dr. Agassiz then handed her his business card saying, "Madam, here is my personal card. Would you kindly write me a letter concerning the nature of a glazed brick?" An odd request indeed especially from someone so highly esteemed in the scientific world. The woman took the request seriously.

She looked up “brick” in the dictionary which stated that it was a piece of baked clay. This definition was far too simple to send to a famous scientist, so she continued her search moving on to the encyclopedia. She visited museums and libraries to obtain more in-depth articles. She even visited a local brickyard. When she felt her studies were complete on the matter, she sat down and wrote Dr. Agassiz a 36-page letter on the subject of glazed brick and tile.

In time, a reply came from Dr. Agassiz in which he informed her that it was the best article he had ever seen on the subject and then said, “I will have it published and pay you for it.” Soon a letter was received by the spinster containing $250 quite a large sum in that day.

'Curiosity' the Powerful Thing

Accompanying the payment was another question, "What is under those bricks?" She looked under the bricks and discovered ants. Thus she began an in-depth study of ants. She found there were as many as 2,500 different kinds. In order to understand the ant family she needed to study other subjects as well.

After extensive reading and careful study, she wrote 360 pages on the subject to Dr. Agassiz. This time he published it as a book and sent her a large sum of money which she used to travel and visit all the lands of her dreams.

There is no lack of opportunity, only a lack of curiosity!