Stardust

The “Institute for the Study of Stardust,” which was founded specifically for this purpose, had spent two years intensively researching, researching, experimenting, discussing and philosophizing. Today was the day to present the results. The head of the institute steps in front of the assembled representatives of the writing guild and begins to give a lecture: "Based on our research results, we must assume that stardust has an extra-Eressian origin. According to the most likely hypothesis - although I don't want to hide the fact that there are also conjectures to the contrary - it is... Interstellar matter...Novas and supernovas...Dust formation window... Impulse transmission...Radiation pressure...Isotope ratios... Extinction...primary condensate...Nucleation...first agglomerations... variable stars..." The writers' minds wander, they can no longer follow the director of the institute's explanations for a long time and at the latest after the sentence "You can also find this information in our small information brochure..." they have stopped taking notes. Only when the speaker said "Thank you for your attention" When they want to say goodbye, they wake up as if from a trance and one of them has enough presence of mind to ask one last question: — "What is stardust good for, does it have any useful properties?" The head of the institute is visibly struggling for words; he is obviously rather uncomfortable with the topic. — "Well, yes, due to its unique molecular structure, you could call it a strong A..., um..." He interrupts his sentence and addresses the questioner directly: "Everyone can read what you write later? Yes? Even children? Yes? And women? Yes? Maybe even elves? Yes?" Each time the writer nodded, slightly confused -what were these questions about? The color of the institute director's face changes in rapid succession, first to dark red and then to deathly pale. Finally he pulls himself together: "No, we were unable to discover any useful properties of stardust, of course we continue to research. Thank you very much. Goodbye." And without another word he rushes away.