Back then, they assumed the role of critics, But now, they are just mimics.

Laughing at a crash is easy, because a crash proves the laugher right without costing them anything. Innocent describes exactly that response the first several times he tried and fell, and it did not stop him trying again. What actually silenced the laughing was not an argument or an apology — it was him staying in the air long enough for gravity to lose the point. The same mouths that mocked the attempt started asking to be taught. Getting copied by your critics is not vindication. It is proof the flying was real.