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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
Last week the photo leaned. Sorry for all the stiff necks and vertigo this might have caused. 😉 This week this famous structure really is leaning. Study the prompt and come out writing. 😀
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
LAW OF CONSTANT ACCELERATION
“What do you think, Signor Viviani?” Galileo’s eyes twinkled. “The ball in my right hand weighs less than the one in my left. Which will hit the ground first?”
Vincenzo looked over the railing to the street below. The lean of the tower made him dizzy. “I believe the heavier ball.”
“It’s one thing to believe something is true. But has anyone proved it?”
Careful not to strike an unsuspecting pedestrian; Galileo released the balls. Vincenzo marveled. “They hit simultaneously, Maestro.”
Galileo flashed a triumphant smile. “As I suspected. Another question, my young discepolo—what shall we eat for lunch?”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
It felt like I was there, maestros… excellent
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Thank you for such a high compliment, Michael.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant lean in the world of physics 🙂
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Thank you for commenting, Reena. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant writing Rochelle.
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Many thanks, Sadje. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome my friend
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You can only admire those inquisitive minds. Although I’m not thanking them for the Physics classes I had to sit through hundreds of years later trying to understand their theories! 😉
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Dear Iain,
When it came to the sciences, I was never a good student. I’m glad someone figured things out. If it had been up to me we’d still be painting on cave walls. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And all was well until he decided to build a telescope!
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Dear Neil,
It was a dirty job but someone had to do it. E.T. phone home.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t know about then, but now (23 years ago 😉 ) there was a place that sold some of the world’s best gelato within a very short walk… Maybe not lunch, but has my vote for desert 😉
btw, did you ever see this? https://youtu.be/maI53H4Zbrs The entire movie was funny showing that the line between genius and stupidity is a very narrow one…
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Dear Trent,
I actually did see the movie years ago, but don’t remember very much of it aside from the profound line, “The audience knows what to expect and that’s all they’re prepared to believe.”
Thank you for reading and leaving a fun comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I saw it ages and ages ago. I only remember clips, but this one stuck out… I think I need to rewatch it.
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I wonder what would’ve happened if Galileo had dropped a feather and a ball? No telescope?
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Scary thought. Luckily for science, Galileo was on the genius side of that line…
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Dear Rochelle,
And gravity has spoken! This was a fun one, Missy… And I apologise ahead of time 😉
Shalom and lotsa leaning love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
NOW I understand the apology ahead of time. 😉 Who says history can’t be fun
Shalom and lotsa wonky hugs,
Rochelle
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😉
History definitely can be fun!!
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All it takes is a little effort in practice. Then it all ended in a mundane ordinary meal. As La Signora Galilei once told him, ‘Study hard and apply yourself, young man, and one day you may even be referred to incessantly in an obnoxious overrated song.’
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Dear Larry,
I’ll admit it’s hard not to hear the Queen song when faced with the name Galileo (no we will not let you go! 😉 ) And who knows? The meal might have been stellar. Somethings history doesn’t tell us. Thank you. Your comment made me chuckle.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle ..Shalom~
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Dear Rochelle,
I thoroughly enjoyed this little morsel of history. What a clever way to prove the theory of gravity.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Scientists amaze me. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What? No apple fallen from the tower? Oh, wrong guy. Lol. Good story. I was feeling the dizziness of looking down a long drop. Now, I need to go get some pizza next to the leaning Tower of Pisa.
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Dear Jan,
It’s easy to confuse those ancient scientists, isn’t it? Order extra cheese and pineapple for my pizza, please. 🙂 Thanks M’luv.
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I’m reading/hearing so many undertones to this piece this week. Beautiful picture to work with, too.
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Dear Bear,
Nothing like a good picture to help us lean in, eh? 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never tire of this story. It was the first one that taught me to question, test, gather evidence, try to prove. Don’t rely on what seems obvious, and never rely on what’s called “common knowledge”, otherwise known as “everybody knows that!”
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Dear Genia,
“Common knowledge” like “Common sense” isn’t necessarily common, is it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Did they make the same depth of holes, I wonder?
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History doesn’t say, Liz. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Physics and its myriad laws have never been my forte. Your story though brough back memories. Lovely slice of history you have recreated, Rochelle1
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Dear Neel,
I didn’t do well in any kind of science class. Guaranteed naptime. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heresy! Lock him up!
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😀
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This incident is familiar to me, not sure why. Maybe in physics class or something. Anyway, you’ve brought it to life and made it more than just a science lesson 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I found this story online. 😉 If it was in any kind of science class I was in I would’ve slept through it. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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I was there, in the science, Bravo!
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Dear Shrawley,
I’m glad one of us is in the science. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always good, Rochelle 🙂
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Thank you, Trish. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done, Rochelle.
Yet, gravity remains a “theory,” one I am sure someone, somewhere doubts.
I hope they enjoyed lunch.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
At least we know their lunch wasn’t loaded with preservatives or GMO. 😉 I’ll keep my feet on the ground unless I’m in the water and then I enjoy zero gravity. (Sort of, at least it’s as close as I’ll come. 😉 ) thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yikes! I need to get to the pool. 🙂
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I swam 2650 yards this morning. 1.5 miles. I try to do that four times a week. Usually end up at three. It’s those flip turns that make me feel weightless.
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I ‘only’ do 1K yards, freestyle and backstroke, no flip turns. I swim 3 or 4 times a week (I walk on alternating days). 🙂
If I were to try 2650, I’d need the lane for the day. 🙂 (and mucho Tylenol)
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And I thought I was slow at 70+ minutes. 😉 On alternate days or days I can’t get out I do three miles on my elliptical. (gotta keep the old bones strong). And I do dumbbell exercises. At any rate, 1K yards isn’t anything to be ashamed of.
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No shame, Rochelle.
That’s 20 laps, a good 45 minute cardio the average bear of my generation cannot do. It keeps me and my medical team happy.
Your 1.5 miles is awesome (as I’m sure you know) and I’ll take a pass on most elliptical experiences. Ditto tread mills and all forms of bikes. I should do strength training but lack the discipline.
Perfection has alluded me all my years. 🙂 (I may use that line soon.) 🙂
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Science is always much more fun with a friend along. I loved the train of thought, work then play. Wonderful writing as always!
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Dear Brenda,
Perhaps with the right teacher I might’ve enjoyed science…or even learned something. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great fiction about a true event. I wonder what these early scientific scholars would think of the world toady.
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Dear James,
I think Galileo would have so much to say, “I told you so” for. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
My first thoughts were about someone getting bonked on the head.
I enjoy this lil tale. Food … the great equalizer.
Have a safe and wonderful weekend …
Abrazos y carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
It’s my hope that he looked before he dropped the balls. 😉 That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😀 We all eat, don’t we? Gracias mi amiga para sus palabras.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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I couldn’t wait to find out, and now I know!
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Dear Keith,
That’s what I’m here for…to keep you informed. 😉 You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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it’s interesting how science can right our preconceived notions.
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Dear Plaridel,
And I believe science is a gift from God. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I suspect the apprentice will have better luck with the second question!
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Dear Ali,
No doubt Vincenzo could answer the food question. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well told. It took us such a long time to make those first steps towards understanding how the world works, and I’m constantly amazed at how rapidly new discoveries are made today. I just sat in on a talk this morning about new research into how nerves connected to the hairs in the inner ear function and saw some amazing slides revealing these tiny structures. Scientists – both ancient and modern – are heroes.
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Dear Margaret,
Better late than never. 😉 Your stories are always worth waiting for.
I am amazed and grateful for the gift of science. Without scientists we’d still be in the dark ages believing in black magic.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. I appreciate your encouragement.
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I feel like every comment I make on your posts is: I did not know that, but that’s not at all a bad thing. I am always open to learning from you, Rochelle! Thank you for teaching me physics! 🙂
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Dear Sascha,
Your comment makes me smile. Thank you for your kind and affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fabulous. A science lesson and a story.
Ah, for the innocence of a science experiment… where science was believed as fact!
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Dear Laurie,
Isn’t it amazing how far we’ve come? Thank heaven for the gifted scientific minds.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like you weave this story within 100 words. Amazing
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Thank you, Vartika. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
Been awhile since I had a science lesson. Like directions, physics isn’t my thing but a great story and I appreciated visiting the leaning Tower of Pisa via Google Earth to get idea for my story.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Dear Rowena,
It’s rare that you’ll get a science lesson from me. 😉 I look at it as historical fiction with a side order of science. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know what you mean, Rochelle.
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Historical fact well shared, Rochelle.
Galileo indeed conducted many experiments there! Great link 🙂
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Thank you, Anita. Glad you enjoyed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So well written, Rochelle, I enjoyed your story very much and I particularly like the human angle (no pun intended), the way thoughts turn to food at the close!
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Dear Jilly,
I love a good pun, intended or not. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed this very much, Rochelle, thank you.
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Thank you, Heather. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love physics, but I understand so little of it. I’m glad these things weren’t up to me.
I enjoyed your window into these great minds, Rochelle. And their humanity too.
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Dear Jen,
Physics goes way over my head. Science and math were never my friends in school. Come to think of it, neither was history. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such an imaginative take on how scientific knowledge proceeds Rochelle. Love the notion of weighing up those all important decisions — what to choose for lunch !! A satisfying story.
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Dear Francine,
Choosing what to have for lunch can be a huge decision, can’t it? Thank you for your glowing comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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