SHORT SORY THE CHILD’S SOLUTION
THE CHILD’S SOLUTION
Automatic traslation from the original story in Spanish. Not checked manually
In the ancient city of Lirena, a river wound its way through its streets and fields. For years, its floods had caused havoc: inundated houses, ruined crops, and displaced families. The city’s greatest scholars had gathered to find a solution, but nothing seemed to work.
Every day, in the great Council Hall, the wise men discussed complicated theories, built models, and designed machines to contain the river. Yet the water continued to overflow, as if the river had a will of its own.
Matthew, an eight-year-old boy, lived near the river. For him, the water was not an enemy, but an old friend who sometimes got angry. He spent hours playing on the bank, watching the water flow, the plants grow, and the animals move around.
One afternoon, while throwing stones into the water, Matthew noticed something curious. In one stretch of the river, where tall, green plants grew, the water seemed calmer, and the ground wasn’t as wet as in other places. He also saw birds and small animals taking refuge among these plants, as if they knew they were safe there.
“Why don’t these plants grow all along the riverbank?” he wondered aloud.
The next day, Mateo went to the town square, where the scholars were meeting. With a determined stride, he approached the group and said,
“Hello, I think I’ve found a solution for the river.”
The scholars looked at each other, surprised that a child had interrupted their meeting.
“And what is this solution, young one?” asked the oldest, with a kind but sceptical smile.
“I’ve noticed that where these plants grow, the river doesn’t overflow as much. If we plant more of them along the banks, the water will stay still and won’t flood the town.”
The wise men chuckled softly.
“Matthew, what you propose is too simplistic. We’ve studied the river for years, and we need more complex solutions.”
But Matthew didn’t give up.
“Please, just let me plant those plants. If it doesn’t work, I promise not to bother you anymore.”
The scholars, tired and out of ideas, reluctantly agreed.
Matthew began planting seeds along the riverbank, with the help of some curious neighbours. Day after day, the plants grew, and little by little, the river began to behave differently. The floods were no longer so violent, and the inundations lessened.
The scholars were astonished. They had spent years searching for complicated solutions, and the answer had been in nature, observed by a child.
At the next Council meeting, the wise old man stood up and said,
“Today we have learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes, wisdom lies not in complexity, but in simplicity and in the fresh perspective of those who are not trapped in old paradigms.”
Matthew smiled, happy to have helped his city.
From then on, the people of Lirena cared for the river with respect, planting and protecting the vegetation that kept it in balance. And Matthew, the boy who saw what the wise men could not, became a symbol of hope and humility for everyone.
The Child’s Solution – Short stories series – Copyright ©Montserrat Valls and Juan Genovés