Animals Quote by Terry Pratchett
“They were small, brightly coloured, happy little creatures who secreted some of the nastiest toxins in the world, which is why the job of looking after the large vivarium where they happily passed their days was given to first-year students, on the basis that if they got things wrong there wouldn't be too much education wasted.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld series, 1990s (specific book unknown)
First‑year students manage a vivarium of toxic, bright creatures, a task that tolerates mistakes because the educational loss is minimal.
In simple terms: Students handle dangerous creatures, learning through low‑stakes errors
Key Takeaway
Use low‑risk tasks for hands‑on learning
Themes
education
risk management
biology
Mood
playful
educational
Type
advice
humorous
When to use this quote
- science labs
- student orientation
- animal care training
Key Concepts
experiential learning
error tolerance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does low stakes improve skill acquisition?
- What are the limits of tolerating mistakes?
A Different Perspective
If errors were costly, learning would be hindered
![“I always loved those little creatures [hummingbird], always feel blessed when they appear nearby. There's a magical quality to them. I finally put one in a song.” quote by Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a5d/leonard-cohen-448_animals_i-always-loved-those-little-creatures-hu_2880211.jpg)
