Enlightenment

 Mia smiled lightly and nodded. — That is not difficult, — she said in a calm voice. — Our village has a small school that has traditionally taught children letters and history. It is little used now, but we can open it for you. It will be the perfect place for your disciples. Moris felt joy inside. “So, the first step is taken,” he thought. From this moment, his work as an educator officially began. Gathering the disciples did not take long. Initially, only a few young elves came, but day by day their numbers increased. One could see the fire and curiosity in each of their eyes. Ariel, who assisted Moris in the lessons, translated every scientific concept he mentioned into the elf language, making it understandable for the disciples. Sometimes she would also ask questions herself, repeating what she understood. Over time, Ariel became not only a translator but a true and trusted assistant. When the first lesson began, one of the disciples raised a hand and asked a puzzling question: — Moris, what exactly is radiation? Everyone’s eyes were eager but confused. It was clear this question had been bothering them since the previous night. Moris smiled and placed a small iron sphere on the table. — Come closer and put your hands over it, — he said. Ariel translated his words into the elf language. The disciples approached and cautiously extended their hands. Moris heated the iron, and immediately they felt the warmth. — Is it hot? — Ariel translated, and the disciples answered in unison: — Yes! — Very well, — said Moris. 

He placed two more spheres side by side and heated them. The warmth felt by their hands increased, and some stepped back. — Do you see? As the heat increases, your bodies immediately perceive it. Radiation is similar, but it cannot be seen with the eye. Moris began drawing the atom on the board with simple lines. — These tiny dots are atoms. Every part of the universe is made of these. Within an atom, there are types called isotopes. Sometimes, due to external influence, like the heat of this iron, they reach a state that “burns.” Then they emit gamma rays. Gamma rays cannot be seen but can burn and injure the human body. The disciples listened in awe. Moris continued: — The green light you saw yesterday is gamma rays. And the constant emission of radiation by isotopes is what we call radioactivity. Ariel felt slightly strained. Even though she managed to translate each word, by the end, she whispered tiredly: — Please, don’t speak in such long sentences from now on. It’s not easy to translate… — Moris smiled lightly, squinting. — Then teach me your language faster, — he said. — We still have many complex lessons ahead. Otherwise, both of us will get tired. Ariel put her hand on her chest and laughed: — Very well, teacher. Now you are not only my teacher, but I am also your teacher, — she said. For the first time in this forest school, Moris truly felt like a real educator. After spending some time in the elf village, Moris began learning the language. Having the agility of a young body made it easier for him to memorize. Within a week, with Ariel’s help, he mastered the elf language. Since the language resembled Latin, learning it was not very difficult for Moris—he had been proficient in Italian in his previous life. Once he learned the language, his educational work gained new momentum. Moris tailored his lessons according to each disciple’s interests. 

For those who liked weapon-making—he taught mechanics and metals; for those close to nature—botany and ecology; and for those interested in healing—the human body and diseases. The most active listener in the healing lessons was a young elf girl named Lyra. She always raised her hand and asked questions in a melodious voice. — Can diseases be cured with healing magic? — she asked one day. Moris smiled slightly and approached the board: — No, Lyra. Healing magic only enhances the body’s self-repair abilities. Disease is the disruption of a system. For example, contagious diseases, as you know, are caused by external living organisms. — Living organisms? — one of the disciples asked in surprise. — Yes, — said Moris, drawing small sketches with chalk. — We call them bacteria and viruses. He illustrated the difference between bacteria and viruses with simple lines. — Bacteria are invisible living organisms like us. They can enter another organism, weaken it, even kill it. One of the disciples jumped up: — So they’re more dangerous than wolves and tigers! — Right observation, — Moris nodded. — Viruses are even more dangerous. They enter the cells that make up the human body, burst them from the inside, and then move to other cells, multiplying. That’s why stopping viruses is extremely difficult. The disciples looked at each other fearfully. Lyra asked again: — But why don’t we see them? If they are alive, they must live somewhere, right? — Excellent question, — Moris said appreciatively. — They are extremely small and cannot be seen. But they are usually abundant in dirty places. They spread through dirty water, food, and animals. Therefore, the strongest protection is cleanliness. Keep your homes clean, and you can protect yourselves from these hidden enemies. When he finished speaking, the disciples’ faces reflected a new understanding. Their eyes now began to look at science with trust, not just magic. As the first rays of the sun crossed the forest and reached the village, Moris gathered the disciples at the school. On the table were clear and dirty water. Moris said: – Look, this is clean water, and this is dirty water. We can observe how invisible creatures multiply. The disciples cautiously brought their hands close to the water.

 Moris lightly warmed the dirty water. Lyra (curiously): – Teacher, why are you heating it? Moris: – Heat accelerates the reproduction of bacteria. We cannot see the tiny creatures, but we can feel their effects. After some time, some disciples pulled their hands back. Moris: – See? These are the effects of bacteria. They are tiny, but alive and capable of multiplying. Lyra: – But if they are alive, where do they live? Moris: – Excellent question! Bacteria and viruses multiply in dirty places, around animals and humans. That is why keeping your home clean is very important. Seeing this, Estis, the village healer, burst in, shouting: Estis: – This child is misleading you! Diseases can only be treated with healing magic! We must not break the path handed down from our ancestors! The disciples looked frightened at Moris. Moris responded calmly: Moris: – Estis, I am not misleading anyone. I only wanted to show how invisible things behave. We need to learn to prevent diseases. Estis gathered the villagers and appealed to the queen. Estis: – Queen Mia! This child is confusing the village! I ask you to forbid him! Queen Mia thought for a moment, looking across the table at Moris. Queen Mia: – Estis, even magic has its limits. If magic were effective in every situation, why couldn’t we completely eliminate disease, famine, or death? Perhaps Moris is showing us a new path. Moris simply smiled and nodded to the queen: Moris: – Thank you, Your Majesty. I only want to show knowledge and experience. This is necessary so that the disciples can properly assess dangerous situations in the future.

 Disciple Lyra (whispering to Moris): – Teacher, I understood what you said. Is this real science? Moris (smiling): – Yes, Lyra. This is real science. And in the future, we can prevent many diseases this way. The camera pans to show the village: the disciples are excited, conducting experiments. Some elders look skeptical, standing with Estis. The village air is filled with a calm morning, though a momentary disturbance remains. Moris writes new experiments on the board and asks the disciples questions: Moris: – Who can tell me, what is the difference between bacteria and viruses? The disciples whisper to each other, discussing, and Lyra steps forward to answer: Lyra: – Bacteria are alive but invisible; viruses are semi-alive, destroy cells, and multiply quickly. Moris: – Correct! Now, who can tell me where they multiply? The disciples each name dirty places and understand the importance of cleanliness. Moris: – If you know all this, you can protect yourself from diseases. Magic does not always help, but knowledge is always useful. Some elders in the village still look skeptical, but the disciples’ curiosity and Lyra’s bright eyes inspire Moris. The sun is hot. The village streets are noisy. Stories about Moris and Estis spread in every corner. 

  One group of villagers trusts Moris and is interested in his method of teaching, while another group supports Estis, insisting that magic is the only true way! Villager 1 (supporter of Moris): – The teacher is doing the right thing! We need to learn new things. Villager 2 (supporter of Estis): – No science can save us from disease; only magic! In the center of the village, arguments erupt, some shouting, some stepping aside in fear. Queen Mia looks worried, unable to lift her head from the dispute. However, seeing Eldran lying in bed, she is forced to make a decision. Queen Mia: – Moris, Estis, I summon both of you. Eldran has fallen ill. Moris and Estis stood up. Moris is calm and composed; Estis is nervous but confident. Moris (thinking): – This might be a fair test. But the main goal is to save Eldran’s life. Estis (thinking): – If I win, the village will support my path. But I don’t want to diminish the power of knowledge. The villagers are still divided in their opinions. Queen Mia invited both to the hospital but did not begin treatment. She only explained the situation. Queen Mia: – Moris, Estis, I propose a test. 

  Eldran’s condition has worsened. Let us observe and try using both of your methods. Whichever method proves effective will settle the dispute. Moris and Estis looked at each other.