Let us begin our journey with a gentle breath, easing into the expanse of the unknown. Imagine a world where every question is cherished, every curiosity a spark that lights the dark corners of our minds. In this first chapter, we find ourselves alongside a young dreamer, whose gaze stretches from the narrow streets of London to the endless canopy of stars above. From childhood, he wondered where we come from, why the universe exists, and whether there is meaning behind it all. In his home, conversations about science and the universe were as natural as the air he breathed, nurturing a mind that would one day travel beyond the boundaries of what was thought possible.
But the story is not just about one man. It is about the power of curiosity that lives in each of us. The universe, with its swirling galaxies and silent mysteries, invites us to ask questions that are as old as time itself. People have always sought answers to the big questions, and it is this relentless curiosity that propels humanity forward. Hawking reminds us that science is not a fortress reserved for the few, but a garden open to all who wish to wander and wonder. He believed that, with patience and clarity, anyone could grasp the basic ideas that shape our understanding of reality.
Yet, life is not without its storms. When faced with the diagnosis of a devastating illness, the world could have shrunk for him; instead, it expanded. Adversity became a lens through which each new day was seen as a bonus, every moment an opportunity to learn and share. This resilience, this refusal to surrender to despair, is a lesson that echoes far beyond science. It is a call to savor the present, to find hope in hardship, and to let our questions lead us to growth.
As we close this opening chapter, let us carry forward the spirit of curiosity, the belief that every person—regardless of background or circumstance—can look up at the stars and dare to ask, “Why?” The journey has just begun, and the next step takes us to the ancient question of whether there is something—or someone—beyond the universe itself.
