Letters Archive

The Ancient Stories Hidden in Harry Potter

The Ancient Stories Hidden in Harry Potter
Think Greek mythology is boring? You might be surprised to find these ancient stories hiding in your favorite books - even Harry Potter!

The Sailor Who Couldn't Trust Himself

The Sailor Who Couldn't Trust Himself
What's stronger - the most beautiful song in the world, or the power to resist listening to it? An ancient Greek hero's clever solution reveals a truth about handling life's temptations.

The Mind Behind the Bow

The Mind Behind the Bow
What's more important in mastering a skill - perfect technique or a calm mind? A story about an archer's challenge reveals the surprising answer.

The Price of Looking Cool

The Price of Looking Cool
Would you choose a method that works better if it meant looking silly? The story of basketball's most effective - but unused - technique reveals how much we care about appearance over results.

The Mathematics of Passion and Practice

The Mathematics of Passion and Practice
What makes someone truly extraordinary - natural talent or passionate practice? The story of the woman who outmatched a computer at mathematics reveals it might be both.

The King's Golden Mistake

The King's Golden Mistake
Have you ever wanted more and more of something you love, only to discover that having too much of it ruins what made it special? An ancient Greek king learned this lesson in a way that turned his whole world to gold.

The Apple That Almost Wasn't

The Apple That Almost Wasn't
What if I told you that one of the world's most popular apples was created by accident and almost ended up in a compost heap? The story of the Honeycrisp apple teaches us that sometimes the best things can't be had whenever we want them.

The Dress That Changed Color

The Dress That Changed Color
How can two people look at exactly the same thing and see completely different colors? The story of a viral dress phenomenon reveals how our brains can make us see the world in surprisingly different ways.