The Student and the Man with the Rosary

More than a hundred years ago, a man traveling in a train found himself seated next to someone who appeared to be a wealthy peasant with a rosary in his hands. "Sir," the student addressed the old man, "do you still believe that old stuff ?"

"Yes," the other replied, "I certainly do. What about you?"

The student burst out laughing and went on: "I don't believe that silly stuff. Follow my advice: throw your rosary out the window and learn what science has to say about it."

"Science? ... Maybe you could explain it to me?" replied the man humbly, with tears in his eyes.

The student noticed the emotion on the face of his traveling companion and to avoid hurting his feelings further, told him: "Please give me your address, I will send you some information."

Then, glancing at the business card the man had taken out of his inside pocket, the young man fell silent. The card read: Louis Pasteur, Director, Scientific Research Institute, Paris