Nuria and Picard in “Unfinished Business”

Nuria

That is my home?

Picard

Seen from far, far above.

Nuria

Yet we do not fall. I never imagined I would see the clouds from the other side. Your powers are truly boundless.

Picard

Nuria, your people live in huts. Was it always so?

Nuria

No. We have found remnants of tools in caves. Our ancestors must have lived there.

Picard

So why do you now live in huts?

Picard

If huts are better, why did you once live in caves?

Nuria

The most reasonable explanation would be that at one time we didn't know how to make huts.

Picard

Just as at one time you did not know how to weave cloth, how to make a bow.

Nuria

That would be reasonable.

Picard

Someone invented a hut. Someone invented a bow, who taught others, who taught their children, who built a stronger hut, built a better bow, who taught their children. Now, Nuria, suppose one of your cave dwelling ancestors could see you as you are today. What would she think?

Nuria

I don't know.

Picard

Put yourself in her place. You see, she cannot kill a hornbuck at a great distance. You can. You have a power she lacks.

Nuria

Only because I have a bow.

Picard

She's never seen a bow. It doesn't exist in her world. To you, it's a simple tool. To her, it's magic.

Nuria

I suppose she might think so.

Picard

Now, how would she react to you?

Nuria

I think she would fear me.

Picard

Just as you fear me.

Nuria

I do not fear you any longer.

Picard

Good. That's good. You see, my people once lived in caves. And then we learned to build huts and, in time, to build ships like this one.

Nuria

Perhaps one day, my people will travel above the skies.