We Met Aristotle's Students
The morning sun peeked into the quiet guest room, streaking the walls with soft light. One by one, the geniuses woke up, rubbing their eyes and stretching like cats after a long nap.
Maria tied her hair back and looked at the others. "Today… we join Aristotle's class."
Einstein grinned. "Let's blend in. Ancient robes today, huh?"
They all dressed in soft linen tunics and woven belts, their bright modern clothes folded neatly into their packs. Even so, as they checked each other out, they couldn't help but laugh. Vinci looked like a lost artist from a myth, Maria looked like a young oracle, and Hawkings nearly tripped over the long cloth, muttering curses under his breath.
They stepped out into the courtyard, feeling the warm breeze swirl around their new outfits. As they approached Aristotle's study, they saw him waiting by the columns, hands folded calmly.
Maria stepped forward and spoke with quiet respect. "Master Aristotle, may we join your students today? We wish to learn with them."
Aristotle studied their faces for a long moment, then finally gave a single nod. "If you truly seek knowledge, my door is always open."
They followed him into the student hall, a large sunlit space filled with young scholars around their age, each wearing plain white robes. The moment the newcomers stepped inside, the room fell silent. Heads turned. Some students stared openly, eyes wide and cautious.
The geniuses forced small, friendly smiles. They waved, but the students only stared back, frozen and unsure.
Vinci and Maria were the last to find a place to sit. A boy nearby shifted uncomfortably. Vinci leaned in with a gentle smile. "My name is Vinci. And you?"
The boy hesitated, his eyes darting to Vinci's outstretched hand. He didn't shake it but finally spoke. "Leonidas."
Vinci nodded, letting his hand fall to his lap. "Nice to meet you," he said softly, trying not to show disappointment.
Around them, the students kept glancing at the newcomers' empty laps. No scrolls, no ink pots, no wooden tablets.
Einstein fidgeted and finally stood up abruptly, disappearing for a moment. When he returned, he carried their large backpack stuffed with books, tablets, and pens. The students watched, eyes as wide as dinner plates, as he unpacked each item carefully.
When everything was laid out, a ripple of whispers spread through the hall. Some students even stood up from the back rows to see better.
Einstein sat down again, cheeks flushed but determined. One by one, the others followed, pulling out pads, journals, and sleek pens.
The students leaned forward, their eyes bright with curiosity. Vinci and Hawkings exchanged a knowing look, then stood up together in front of the class.
After greeting the students warmly, they began to explain the pen. Something so simple for them, but a marvel to the young scholars. Vinci showed how the ink flowed smoothly without needing to dip, and Hawkings drew quick shapes to demonstrate its speed.
Shaky hands reached out, eager but nervous. Vinci and Hawkings moved around the room, guiding the students' fingers to hold the pens, helping them form letters for the first time. The room filled with soft laughter and gasps of wonder as new shapes appeared on the pages.
The students also brought out their old quills, dipping them carefully in ink and showing the visitors how they had learned to write. Vinci and Hawkings listened patiently, taking turns trying to copy their careful strokes.
Meanwhile, Maria stepped forward and tapped her phone screen. A soft, magical melody filled the room. The students turned, eyes wide, frozen in pure wonder.
Maria laughed lightly and held the phone up, showing them how it played music, sent messages, and even made calls. She spoke slowly and clearly so they could follow, and soon the students were pressing closer, whispering to each other and pointing at the glowing screen.
For the first time since they arrived, the students' stiff expressions began to melt. Smiles appeared, shoulders relaxed, and quiet giggles spread through the group.
LET THE CONTEST BEGIN
After the excitement, Einstein clapped his hands loudly. "Let's do something fun!" he announced.
He explained a challenge. Each side would choose three contestants, and two more would act as coordinators to help guide them.
At first, the students shifted nervously, but soon their eyes lit up with excitement.
The geniuses picked Einstein, Hawkings, and Eliza as their contestants, with Maria and Vinci coordinating.
From the students' side, Leonidas stepped forward first with new boldness in his eyes. Pantares and Carneades joined him, ready to try. Their coordinators, Cleon and Leitus, sat close, whispering strategies.
Everyone took their positions. The coordinators leaned forward, whispering tips and encouragement, faces glowing with determination.
The Students Turn
Leonidas asked the first question. "What is the true purpose of philosophy in achieving virtue?"
The geniuses leaned in together, whispering. "To find truth!" "To conquer fear!" "To live peacefully!" But nothing worked. Each guess met a gentle shake of the head.
Pantares stood and asked. "What is the one thing even the gods envy in mortal life?"
"Freedom? Love? Ambition?" Wrong again.
Carneades followed. "Which virtue must always guide a ruler above all else?"
"Strength? Wisdom?" So close, but still no.
Cleon asked. "Why do we seek knowledge even when it brings pain?"
"To grow!" "To defeat ignorance!" "To gain power!" Again, each guess failed.
Finally, Leitus stepped up with the hardest question. "What is the unmoved mover of the soul?"The geniuses fell silent. They tried so many answers, words tumbling out: "Will," "Desire," "Faith," "Curiosity," but each one fell flat.
They had given everything, throwing every idea they had, but none fit.
The Genuises Turn
Then it was their turn.
Einstein asked. "What is quantum physics?" The students looked at each other, completely lost.
Hawkings continued. "What is the theory of relativity?" Still nothing.
Eliza asked. "How does a vaccine work?" Silence.
Vinci stood up. "What is artificial intelligence?" Leonidas almost tried but fell quiet again.
Finally, Maria asked. "What is the internet?" No guesses, only blank stares.
The Final Verdict
In the end, Vinci stood up slowly, a calm but proud smile on his face. "The students are brilliant," he said, his voice echoing in the hall. "We have read so much, traveled so far, yet we could not answer their questions. But they, with no knowledge of our world, still dared to try."
Maria folded her arms tightly, shaking her head at first. "They got all ours wrong too," she mumbled.
Cleon stood, his voice strong but gentle. "True. But they faced each question with open hearts, not just clever words."
Leitus nodded beside him. "They spoke from their soul, not just their mind."
Maria sighed, her eyes softening as she looked at the young faces. Slowly, she nodded in agreement.
Vinci stepped forward and lifted a hand. "Legends are legends," he said, smiling wide. "Today, you win."
A hush spread across the room before soft cheers and laughter rose. The students rushed forward, shaking hands, asking for more pen lessons, some even hugging Vinci and Maria.
They spent the rest of the afternoon with the students, sharing smiles and laughter, showing them the gadgets, and listening to music together. As the sun sank low, they returned to their guest room, tired but deeply happy.
They washed quickly, enjoyed a hearty meal, and finally stretched out to rest.
Einstein sighed as he laid back. "What a day… I feel like we truly stepped into their world."
Vinci closed his eyes, his voice soft. "We did. We learned as much from them as they did from us."
One by one, they drifted toward sleep, their hearts warm and full.
Just as they began to sink into dreams, a sudden knock echoed sharply through the quiet room.
They all turned, wide-eyed and frozen.
"Who could that be at this hour?" Hawkings whispered, his voice trembling.
Another knock came, louder this time.
Maria sat up, her breath caught in her chest. Einstein slid off his mat and crept toward the door, his hand trembling.Before he reached the handle, the knock echoed again, sharp and urgent.
They exchanged glances, each holding their breath.
Who was standing there in the dark?
Who's that ??..