'They might not be giants' poem poster

Some form of the phrase "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants," has been repeated by many scientists, most famously Isaac Newton. But if they all claim to be dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, where are they really standing? It could be a great gift for an aspiring scientist or inspiring science teacher. The poem is as follows: “If I have seen farther,” the scientist said, “it’s not because I am a giant. “Great minds of the past have helped me get ahead; it’s their shoulders on which I’m reliant.” “Now listen to me!” said the great on whose shoulder the first one was glad to have stood. “I’m quite short of stature, it’s just that I’m older and those before me were so good.” And sure enough, this one was perched on the neck of a giantist of great renown who balanced in turn on another; by heck! It’s little guys all the way down. And some were thought giants, and some were thought br/>and some were thought nothing at all, but each would insist, “Those below were no idjits. It’s them that have made me so tall.” And scrambling around them their fans would aspire, to see something not seen before by climbing the tower of dwarves, ever higher for glimpses, or footholds, or more. Most could not scale to the summit in time, before their peak fitness would end. Some found it tough and abandoned the climb while some would, with vigor, descend: Aware that such heights were so taxing to reach, they helped to lift people and hopes, inventing new ladders and platforms to teach, securing and showing the ropes. “They might not be giants, but they must go far and that journey isn’t for me. I’ll boost them through science, raise them and the bar and profit from what they will see.” So said the teacher while lifting a child on shoulders so humble and stressed. The youth saw a vista that had them beguiled and bounded straight up to the crest.