The Study of a Rock

[WingedPaladin]

A very young girl walks along a path and sees a rock, picks it up, and looks at it. She might throw it, toss it, skip it across some water, or simply put it in their pocket, backpack, or put it back down on the ground. Let's say she puts it in her pocket and carries it with her.

She takes it out and shows it to her mom.


If her mom is a geologist, she might tell her daughter about the color(s), hardness, and even identify the type and scientific name of rock. She might even talk about how the rock was formed and whether or not the rock was under water at some point.

If her mom is a chemist, she might tell her daughter about the elements and molecules that can be found in the rock and why the rock has a particular hardness. She might mention what chemicals could dissolve the rock, or what chemicals could be extracted from it.

If her mom is a engineer, she might tell her daughter about what can be done with the rock, whether it can be used as a tool such as a chisel or hammer, or placed in a rock wall, road material, or concrete.

If her mom is a physicist, she might tell her daughter that the rock is made up of atoms, which means it isn't as solid as it looks, and that the colors she sees in the rock are a result of the wavelength of the light being reflected off the surface of the rock to her eyes.

If her mom is an mystical healer, she might tell her daughter about the vibration of the rock and what area of the body she should hold it up against for good health.

If her mom is a doctor, she might tell her daughter not to eat the rock since it won't be good for her digestive system. She might tell her daughter about iron, calcium, or other minerals that could be found in the rock that the body can utilize.

If her mom is a dentist, she might tell her daughter not to put it in her mouth or bite on it or throw it at anyone so as to not damage her teeth.

If her mom is a business woman, she might tell her daughter she can use it as a paperweight or consider if there is a market for rocks.

If her mom is a crafter, she might tell her daughter he can take it home, write a word, name, or message on it, add some glitter or paint, and decorate her room, give the rock away, or sell it.

If her mom is a jeweler, she might tell her daughter to keep the rock or toss it depending on if it was deemed pretty or valuable and could be used for a necklace or other piece of jewelry.

If her mom is a Hawaiian, she might tell her daughter whether or not the rock is good for cooking with in an imu (underground oven) or perhaps tell her to stack it with other rocks to create a marker on the side of the trail. She might tell her daughter about how the menehune (little people) came in the night to stack rocks and create a heiau, or rock temple for the gods. If it is a lava rock, she might tell her daughter to put it back as not to anger Pele, the fire goddess, for taking something that does not belong to her without giving something in return and bringing bad luck upon herself and her family. She might tell her daughter if she could use it for the loose stone flooring of the hale (house) or for a hula (dance) implement.

If her mom is a Native American, she might tell her daughter that the rock is alive, like the animals and the trees, and can hear what they say and do. She might tell her daughter about the tools or jewelry she can make with the rock.

If her mom is a Daheshist, she might tell her daughter that the rock is conscious, has a spiritual fluid (or fluids), is subject to universal law, and that each rock has its own story to tell.


This list of ideas is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to add your own new idea or append to those presented... If her mom is an astronaut...