Storyfier

Long ago, before glass sparkled on tables, people drank wine from goblets —heavy cups made of metal, clay, or wood. These goblets were not just for drinking; they were symbols of power and celebration . Kings raised them at feasts, and priests used them in sacred rituals. Then came the magic of glassmaking . Around 1000 AD, in the lands near Venice, Italian artisans learned to shape glass into new forms. They created delicate cups with long stems and clear bowls , so you could see the color of the wine inside. These were the first true wine glasses —light, elegant, and perfect for sipping. Over time, wine lovers realized that the shape of the glass changed the taste . A wide bowl helped red wine breathe. A narrow flute kept bubbles in sparkling wine. So glassmakers made different glasses for different wines. What started as a royal goblet became a tool for tasting. Today, we don’t think twice about holding a glass of wine by its stem. But in that simple act, we hold a piece of his...

A reproduction of Rembrandt's ancient painting One night in ancient Babylon, King Belshazzar hosted a grand feast, using sacred goblets that had been stolen from Jerusalem’s temple. Amidst wine and wild celebrations, a mysterious, glowing hand appeared on the palace wall, inscribing strange words in the dark. The guests froze in fear. No one could decipher the message, so the queen summoned Daniel, a wise counsellor renowned for his divine insight. Daniel read the cryptic words— “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” —and explained their meaning: “Your days are numbered, you have been weighed and found wanting, and your kingdom will be divided.” That very night, Babylon fell, and Belshazzar lost his throne. Babylon was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, famed for its wealth, power, and the Hanging Gardens. But under Belshazzar’s rule, pride and arrogance blinded the leaders. While they feasted, the Persian army—led by Cyrus the Great —diverted the Euphrates River and entered ...

Sri Lankan folklore speaks of a bridge so brilliantly engineered that it was tragically mistaken for foolishness. They called it Modhayaage Palama—"The Fool's Bridge." But the real story is one of misunderstood genius, not incompetence. Hidden within the misty hills of Gampola, along the Ulapane road, stands a relic of British-era ingenuity: a steel bridge built across the mighty Mahaweli River to transport tea and goods from the lush estates of Mahawela Watta. Locals have long referred to it mockingly as “The Fool’s Bridge”—but the truth beneath the nickname tells a different tale. A Bridge Too Smart for Its Time This bridge wasn’t the work of a fool but a British engineer who applied cutting-edge technology of the time. In modern bridges, safety railings—typically placed on top —are standard to prevent vehicles from veering off. But this particular bridge had massive iron arches built beneath it, stabilising the structure against shaking as heavy vehicles crossed. Th...

(Adapted from a Sri Lankan folktale) One day, a little calf was wandering alone, munching on tender grass. As the sun blazed above, he grew very thirsty and headed toward a nearby waterhole for a drink. But what he didn’t know was that a tiger was hiding nearby, waiting to pounce on any unsuspecting animal that came to quench its thirst. The moment the calf lowered his head to drink, the tiger leapt out. Terrified, the calf pleaded, “Oh mighty tiger! Why do you want to eat me? I’m just skin and bones. My meat is tender and tasteless. Let me go, please! I promise, if you let me grow a little more—just a few years—I’ll become strong and plump from all the grass I eat. Then I’ll come back to this very spot, and you can have a proper feast.” Hearing this, the tiger paused. There was pity in his eyes. “Are you telling the truth?” the tiger asked. “Will you really come back when you’re bigger?” “I swear on my life,” said the calf. “I won’t forget this kindness. I’ll return to you whe...

Imagine sipping a stew made from the meat of an animal that walked the Earth 50,000 years ago. As strange as it sounds, that’s exactly what a group of researchers did—with a long-extinct Ice Age bison. In 1979, gold miners near Fairbanks, Alaska, made a stunning discovery: the well-preserved remains of a Steppe Bison buried in permafrost. The bison, later nicknamed "Blue Babe" , captivated scientists and the public alike. Named for the bluish tint on its skin—caused by mineral deposits (vivianite) formed over time—Blue Babe became one of the best-preserved examples of Ice Age wildlife ever found. What made this discovery truly remarkable was how well the animal had been naturally preserved. Frozen immediately after its death—likely from a predator attack—Blue Babe’s skin, muscles, and even internal organs were intact. This allowed researchers to gain rare insight into the life and environment of Ice Age megafauna. But the story doesn’t end with research and museum display. In...