Classics Retold

Phosphorescent wings glow in the dark by storing light energy lasting longer than fluorescence, often found in nature's bioluminescent insects. Examples include fire flies or glow worms, which produce light for mating.  Some butterfly wings, such as papilio nireus use structured scales for intense light emission. Many insect wings like that of sallowtails and cicadas are technically fluorescent actively shining under UV light rather than glowing in the dark  The firefly family includes nearly 2000 species that use bioluminescence. The glowworms refers to larva or wingless females that glow, while flying males often glow intermittently.  Sallowtail butterflies possess specialised wing scales that actively fluorescence.  Their wing structures act like photonic crystals, similar to high-tech LEDs and enhance this emission and direct the light, making them appear to shimmer. Research indicates that the transparent wings of cicadas and some moths exhibit natural fluoresce...

Sumerian Civilization of Mesopotamia is widely considered the earliest civilization in the world, having emerged in southern Iraq around 4500 to 4000 BCE. Located between the Tigris and Euphrates river, it produced world's first city Uruk and the first writing system Cuneiform.  Sumer and Mesopotamia were not identical.  Mesopotamia is the name of the entire region Sumer was a subregion within it.  Mesopotamia was a vast area around and between Tigris and Euphratese rivers covering modern day Iraq and parts of Syria and Iraq, Sumer was specifically the southern most part of the region, near the Persian Gulf. Sumerians were one of the many ethnic groups that lived in Mesopotamia.  The other groups were Akkadians, Babylonoans, and Assyrians.  Sumerian culture eventually faded and it was absorbed by Babylonian and Babylonian empires. 

Towards the end of August. Night. Bathshebs was still a novice in her married life. Dry and sultry weather. A man stood motionless in the  stackyard  of Weatherbury Upper Farm looking at the moon and sky.  The night had a sinister aspect.  A hot breeze from the south slowly fanned the summits of lofty objects, and broken clouds were sailing in the breeze. The moon had a lurid metallic look.  The fields were sallow; the sheep had trailed homeward, the rooks were confused. A long rain was expected. The end of harvesting season.  Oak looked without disbelief at the ricks in the open space.  He went on to the barn.  This was the night chosen by sergeant Troy for giving harvest supper and dance.  As Oak approached the building, the sounds of violins, and a tambourine, and the regular jigs of many feet grew more distinct.  He came close to the large doors, one of which stood slightly ajar, and looked in.  The central space together with t...

Staddle is a traditional base platform, or supporting stone, often called a staddle stone, used to elevate structures like haystacks, grain stores or sheds, protecting them from moisture and pests.  Originated in Middle English, these stone pedestal resembles mushroom with a column and cap, and were traditionally used in Britain and Europe.  This helped structures to get elevated about one metre.  These staddles could support timber framed graneries, barns, or sheds to prevent rot. These raised platform could be used for drying grains like wheat or paddy. There is no one word  for staddle in Malayalam.  Though hay were stacked in tall heaps, staddles were not in practice. 

Stalactites are icicle shaped mineral deposits that hang from cave ceilings, hot springs or man-made structures like bridges formed over hundreds or thousands of years by dripping water.  Primarily composed of calcium carbonate (limestone) they develop as mineral rich water evaporates leaving behind deposits.  Water seeps through cracks, dissolving limestone.  Upon reaching the cave ceiling, it drips, leaving behind tiny mineral fragments that build up over time.  While limestone is most common, they can be made of lava, mud, peat, pitch, sand or even crystalised rat urine.  Their growth is extremely slow, typically relying on steady, slow drip rates. 

The Soldier's Joy is fiddle tune classified as a reel or country dance, which traces its origin to Scottish fiddling traditions.  It has been played in Scotland for over two hundred years, and Robert Burns used it for the first song of his cantata, 'The Jolly Beggers'. It is one of the oldest and most widely used tunes. The tune dates as early as 1760s. In spite of its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, the term "soldier's joy" has a much darker meaning, than is portrayed by the tune. This term eventually came to refer to the combination of Whiskey, beer, and morphine used by American soldiers to alleviate pain.