by Athanasia Diamantopoulou

Once upon a time, far away in our vast dark universe, there was a tiny bright spot and that spot was a little planet that no one knew about and no one ever would, if there wasn't for this tale. The name of the little planet was Virtuu. On Virtuu there lived tribes of creatures unlike you or me or any other person that lives on the Earth. All the tribes on Virtuu had super powers, you see.

First, there were “the Doctors” and they could heal any disease with ease. There was another tribe, called “the Philosophers”, and they had found the answer to any question or problem that existed or could ever exist. There was the tribe of “the Poets” who could describe all things seen and unseen in a manner that lifted your spirits so high that you felt like a little god. Last but not least, there was the tribe of “the Teachers”, who were also called "the Educators" and it was a title highly respected on Virtuu. But the name everyone called them by was "the Sparkstarters". It was like a nickname.

These Virtuuans had the unique power of starting the spark of knowledge in every little child on their planet. You see, on the first day of school, mums and dads literally had to drag some children to school as they didn't want to leave their cozy homes for a strange new environment. Despite their older siblings telling them how great school was, the little Virtuuans found their bedrooms and living rooms, their gardens and neighbourhoods equally, if not more, great! They had their toys there, their friends, their pets, their gadgets - who would willingly leave all that for the great unknown?

However, once the first day of school had ended, the young Virtuuans didn't want to leave! All of them, from the biggest and most independent ones to the smallest and most insecure, were enchanted by school and “the Teachers”. What was it that made each one of them want to come back the next day, first thing in the morning? The answer was in the Sparkstarters.

Each Sparkstarter had her own way with children and the very special power to get them to discover knowledge in a playful, enchanting way. School on planet Virtuu was exactly that: discovering knowledge on your own with the guidance of the Teacher. It could be a question or a statement from the Teacher that would start the spark, a task she would set, a picture, a book or an object she would bring to class -  even a mysterious smile or an intended frown on the face of a Teacher could start a spark in some students on Virtuu. From the very little ones to the oldest students, they all felt like great discoverers who needed to discover more and more. Once the spark had started the fire, it burnt inside them and they were restless.

But sadly enough, planet Virtuu doesn't exist any longer. It turned to stardust after a huge collision in space, one of those disasters that so unfortunately happen to destroy great civilizations and make powerful minds disappear.

Nevertheless, I have a very strong feeling that the Sparkstarters have managed to survive somehow… I believe I have met some throughout my life. I thought that was chalk on their fingers... but maybe it was stardust...

Have you met them, too?