The Alchemist's Dream

An illustrated science story from Wonder Science — free to read, with narration.

The Alchemist's Dream — an illustrated science story, set in United States. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Science.

The Alchemist's Dream — book cover — Wonder Science
The Alchemist's Dream — an illustrated science story, set in United States. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Science.

Page 1

"Wow, this crystal cave is amazing, Dad!" Camila exclaimed, her voice echoing off the walls. Her father smiled, adjusting his glasses.
"Wow, this crystal cave is amazing, Dad!" Camila exclaimed, her voice echoing off the walls. Her father smiled, adjusting his glasses. "It's even more beautiful than I imagined. How do these crystals get so big?"

"Wow, this crystal cave is amazing, Dad!" Camila exclaimed, her voice echoing off the walls. Her father smiled, adjusting his glasses. "It's even more beautiful than I imagined. How do these crystals get so big?"

Page 2

Camila pulled out her notebook. "I wonder if the crystals are made of the same stuff as the rocks outside?" Her dad chuckled, "That's a great question!
Camila pulled out her notebook. "I wonder if the crystals are made of the same stuff as the rocks outside?" Her dad chuckled, "That's a great question! It all comes down to chemistry. Chemistry is the study of matter and its properties, including how matter changes."

Camila pulled out her notebook. "I wonder if the crystals are made of the same stuff as the rocks outside?" Her dad chuckled, "That's a great question! It all comes down to chemistry. Chemistry is the study of matter and its properties, including how matter changes."

Page 3

"Chemistry?" Camila asked. "So, like...mixing things together?" Her father nodded. "Exactly! People have been experimenting with chemistry for thousands of…
"Chemistry?" Camila asked. "So, like...mixing things together?" Her father nodded. "Exactly! People have been experimenting with chemistry for thousands of years, even before they knew what it was. Imagine: Renaissance Europe, the 16th century, the cobblestone streets echoing with the dreams of alchemists..."

"Chemistry?" Camila asked. "So, like...mixing things together?" Her father nodded. "Exactly! People have been experimenting with chemistry for thousands of years, even before they knew what it was. Imagine: Renaissance Europe, the 16th century, the cobblestone streets echoing with the dreams of alchemists..."

Page 4

"Alchemists," he continued, "were early chemists, trying to understand how to transform one substance into another. One of the most famous was Paracelsus - his…
"Alchemists," he continued, "were early chemists, trying to understand how to transform one substance into another. One of the most famous was Paracelsus - his real name was Theophrastus von Hohenheim. He lived in Switzerland and Austria, and he was obsessed with finding a way to turn base metals into gold. He was a doctor and philosopher, too."

"Alchemists," he continued, "were early chemists, trying to understand how to transform one substance into another. One of the most famous was Paracelsus - his real name was Theophrastus von Hohenheim. He lived in Switzerland and Austria, and he was obsessed with finding a way to turn base metals into gold. He was a doctor and philosopher, too."

Page 5

One day, Paracelsus was grinding minerals with a mortar and pestle. He was deep in thought, trying to decipher an ancient scroll.
One day, Paracelsus was grinding minerals with a mortar and pestle. He was deep in thought, trying to decipher an ancient scroll. He muttered to himself, "'All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost,' like Tolkien would say centuries later, I need to find a new way!"

One day, Paracelsus was grinding minerals with a mortar and pestle. He was deep in thought, trying to decipher an ancient scroll. He muttered to himself, "'All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost,' like Tolkien would say centuries later, I need to find a new way!"

Page 6

Suddenly, he noticed a peculiar reaction. When he mixed a certain combination of minerals and heated them, a strange gas was released.
Suddenly, he noticed a peculiar reaction. When he mixed a certain combination of minerals and heated them, a strange gas was released. This gas could dissolve substances that normally wouldn't dissolve! He had discovered new properties of matter, even if he didn't realize it at the time.

Suddenly, he noticed a peculiar reaction. When he mixed a certain combination of minerals and heated them, a strange gas was released. This gas could dissolve substances that normally wouldn't dissolve! He had discovered new properties of matter, even if he didn't realize it at the time.

Page 7

Paracelsus's work laid the foundation for modern chemistry. He emphasized careful observation and experimentation, moving away from purely theoretical…
Paracelsus's work laid the foundation for modern chemistry. He emphasized careful observation and experimentation, moving away from purely theoretical approaches. Today, thanks to chemists, we have everything from life-saving medicines to stronger, lighter materials for building airplanes and cars!

Paracelsus's work laid the foundation for modern chemistry. He emphasized careful observation and experimentation, moving away from purely theoretical approaches. Today, thanks to chemists, we have everything from life-saving medicines to stronger, lighter materials for building airplanes and cars!

Page 8

Back in the crystal cave, Camila's dad said, "So, Paracelsus's experiments were really important for understanding how things change." Camila exclaimed, "So…
Back in the crystal cave, Camila's dad said, "So, Paracelsus's experiments were really important for understanding how things change." Camila exclaimed, "So, the crystals grew because elements and minerals changed?" Her dad nodded. "Exactly! That's why this cave is so special!"

Back in the crystal cave, Camila's dad said, "So, Paracelsus's experiments were really important for understanding how things change." Camila exclaimed, "So, the crystals grew because elements and minerals changed?" Her dad nodded. "Exactly! That's why this cave is so special!"

Page 9

"I get it now!" Camila exclaimed. "It's like when I mix baking soda and vinegar for my science project – that's a chemical reaction!" Her dad added, "Or when…
"I get it now!" Camila exclaimed. "It's like when I mix baking soda and vinegar for my science project – that's a chemical reaction!" Her dad added, "Or when you see rust forming on an old car - that's iron reacting with oxygen!" "Even cooking!" Camila said, "When you bake a cake, the ingredients change!"

"I get it now!" Camila exclaimed. "It's like when I mix baking soda and vinegar for my science project – that's a chemical reaction!" Her dad added, "Or when you see rust forming on an old car - that's iron reacting with oxygen!" "Even cooking!" Camila said, "When you bake a cake, the ingredients change!"

Page 10

"So, chemistry is all about how things change into other things!" Camila said, smiling. Just then, a new sparkling crystal caught her eye.
"So, chemistry is all about how things change into other things!" Camila said, smiling. Just then, a new sparkling crystal caught her eye. "Dad, what makes some crystals glow under black light?"

"So, chemistry is all about how things change into other things!" Camila said, smiling. Just then, a new sparkling crystal caught her eye. "Dad, what makes some crystals glow under black light?"

About this story

  • Location: United States
  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

Read Wonder Science on your phone

Wonder Science is available on Android. Get Wonder Science on Google Play.

More Wonder Science stories

All Wonder Science stories · Open the library