How a 10-Year-Old's Wishes Address Global Challenges
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Chapter 1: The Wish That Sparked a Conversation
During a cozy dinner featuring slow-roasted porchetta, my young guest, just ten years old, posed a thought-provoking question: “If you could have three wishes, what would they be?”
With a bustling cottage filled with fourteen family members, including two widowed mothers, my mind was juggling various responsibilities. After a long day of activities under the sun, from cooking to cleaning, I found myself struggling to respond creatively.
After a brief moment of contemplation, I focused my attention on her, aiming to provide an answer that was both sincere and inspiring. I took a deep breath, tilted my head slightly, and thought carefully.
“I would wish for my three children to live healthy, fulfilling lives where their dreams come true,” I finally replied. This answer felt genuine but also cleverly multiplied—one wish that encompassed three.
As I shared my wishes, I pondered their validity. In the realm of fairy tales, it’s essential that wishes withstand the scrutiny of time and awareness. She nodded, signaling her understanding, and then asked, “And what about the other two wishes?”
Caught off guard, I explained, “Those are my three wishes, divided equally. You mentioned three, and each child deserves one wish, right?” After a moment, she agreed, but with a serious reminder: “The first rule of three wishes is that you can’t wish for more wishes.”
Section 1.1: A Child’s Perspective
“Okay, here’s what my three wishes would be…” she began, ready to count them off. It was clear she wanted to share her own thoughts.
“First,” she said, raising her index finger, “every person should transform into the animal they relate to most. All the misplaced animals should return to their rightful homes.” Her conviction surprised me.
“Second,” she continued, “all unnatural things created by humans should vanish.” She sought confirmation on her use of the term "unnatural."
“Is that right? Does ‘unnatural’ refer to harmful human creations? Like pollution? That’s what I want to disappear, so animals aren’t harmed by it anymore.”
I paused, considering the implications of her words. My thoughts raced as I tried to validate her expression. “Yes,” I finally confirmed. “You’re using ‘unnatural’ correctly. Pollution certainly falls under that category.”
“And my third wish…” she added, tapping my shoulder to ensure I was still counting, “is for the Earth to continue existing forever.”
Those were her three wishes, delivered with enthusiasm. I sat there, mulling over her profound insights while finishing my quinoa salad.
Section 1.2: The Weight of Wishes
I reflected on the balance of power and happiness in my family compared to her wishes, which seemed to hold the fate of our planet. It’s hopeful to think I had instilled some planetary values in my children, hoping they would care for our fragile Earth.
Yet, I realized I had limited my thinking to a narrow view. My anthropocentric perspective overshadowed the broader implications of her wishes. Her approach transcended the complexities of political dilemmas, focusing instead on the essence of preservation.
Her wishes avoided the pitfalls that often accompany seemingly perfect solutions. For instance, wishing for all power generation to rely solely on hydropower might ignore long-term consequences, such as displacing Indigenous peoples or altering ecosystems irreversibly.
In a world governed by fairy tale logic, my young friend reminded me of the need for imaginative thinking. If she could envision solutions to global challenges through three magical wishes, imagine the possibilities for all of us.
Chapter 2: The Power of Imagination
This video explores the imaginative power of storytelling and how fairy tales can inspire problem-solving in real life.
A fascinating look at how even a toddler's perspective can challenge adult assumptions about ethics and problem-solving.