--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once upon a time on a small, watery…" description: "\"“Once upon a time on a small, watery, excitable planet called Earth, in a small, watery, excitable country called Italy, a soft-spoken, rather nice-loo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/catherynne-m-valente-375_atomic-bomb_once-upon-a-time-on-a-small-watery-excit_2534086.jpg" --- # Once upon a time on a small, watery, excitable planet… ![“Once upon a time on a small, watery, excitable planet called Earth, in a small, watery, excitable country called Italy, a soft-spoken, rather nice-looking gentleman by the name of Enrico Fermi was born into a family so overprotective that he felt compelled to invent the atomic bomb.” quote by Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/catherynne-m-valente-375_atomic-bomb_once-upon-a-time-on-a-small-watery-excit_2534086.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/catherynne-m-valente-375_atomic-bomb_once-upon-a-time-on-a-small-watery-excit_2534086.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/catherynne-m-valente-375_atomic-bomb_once-upon-a-time-on-a-small-watery-excit_2534086.jpg) > ““Once upon a time on a small, watery, excitable planet called Earth, in a small, watery, excitable country called Italy, a soft-spoken, rather nice-looking gentleman by the name of Enrico Fermi was born into a family so overprotective that he felt compelled to invent the atomic bomb.”” [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Enrico Fermi’s protective upbringing humorously suggests it drove him to create the atomic bomb. **In simple terms:** Fermi’s childhood may have inspired his scientific work. Key Takeaway Reflect on how upbringing shapes ambition. Themes family science history humor Mood playful thought‑provoking Type literary historical When to use this quote - education - parenting - career choice - ethical considerations Key Concepts psychology motivation technological impact Questions to Reflect On - How do family dynamics influence scientific breakthroughs? - Can humor reveal deeper truths about history? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on protection can stifle creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atomic bomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atomic-bomb/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Earth Small](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth-small-331353/) [Enrico Fermi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enrico-fermi-216846/) [Escape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/escape/) [Excitable Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excitable-country-1370882/) [Fermi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fermi-1370881/) [Fermi Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fermi-born-1370880/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Italy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/italy/) [Nuclear weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-weapons/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Radiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radiation/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“The Fermi Paradox?” “Yes. 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The Earth was absolutely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexey-leonov/the-earth-was-small-light-blue-and-so-touchingly-alone-our-home-that/) [Alexey Leonov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexey-leonov/) ## More by Catherynne M. Valente > [When I saw him I thought I could curl up inside him and go to sleep and never wake up." "Men are no good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/when-i-saw-him-i-thought-i-could-curl-up-inside-him-and-go-to-sleep/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [We all just keep moving, September. We keep moving until we stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/we-all-just-keep-moving-september-we-keep-moving-until-we-stop/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [“You couldn't ever really fix a sad story. You could only make another. And another. 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Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [Who are you?" "I am Death," said the creature. "I thought that was obvious." "But you're so small!" "Only because you are small. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/who-are-you-i-am-death-said-the-creature-i-thought-that-was-obvious/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) [Explore all 621 Catherynne M. Valente quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) ## More Atomic bomb quotes > [Gee, I wish we had one of them doomsday machines things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-kubrick/gee-i-wish-we-had-one-of-them-doomsday-machines-things/) [Stanley Kubrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-kubrick/) > [“If we do not stop these mar-makers not,...it will soon be too late. We are the only nation that can halt this crusade. 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