A Woodcutter's Wisdom: The Destination Within

In a world where the school bell rang, and students hurried to their classrooms, a young boy named Zawa joined the excited throng. It was his very first day of school, an experience he had never encountered before in his fifteen years of life. Zawa was born to Caillou, a humble woodcutter, and together, they lived atop a picturesque hill.

Their existence revolved around the harvesting of wood from the hill's trees. This wood served both as their livelihood, providing sustenance for their family and warmth for their rustic hut. Caillou, plagued by poverty, could only dream of sending his son to school.

Zawa, a lad who had never ventured beyond his forested domain, had spent his days assisting his father with woodcutting. He excelled in the art of sharpening axes and felling trees with precision, a routine that defined his life. Zawa had never known friends, city life, or the myriad experiences the world beyond the hill offered.

One day, Caillou revealed his dream of sending Zawa to school. Inquisitive, Zawa asked, "What is school?" Caillou pointed towards the red school building nestled at the foot of the hill, explaining that education awaited him there. He envisioned a future where his son would become educated, opening doors to opportunities beyond woodcutting.

However, the notion of "ambition" bewildered Zawa. What was this goal that everyone spoke of? He had only ever known the rhythm of felling trees, from dawn till dusk, returning to the comfort of home at night.

Zawa entered the classroom, joining other eager children. The teacher announced that each student would share their life ambition. A world of possibilities unfolded as aspirations of becoming pilots, doctors, engineers, and soldiers emerged. Yet, Zawa was utterly perplexed when his turn came.

"What is your ambition?" asked the teacher. Zawa replied with innocence, "Teacher, what is ambition?" Laughter rippled through the classroom, but the teacher gently explained that ambition was a dream or goal one wished to achieve in life.

Zawa remained silent, grappling with the new concept. The teacher urged him to imagine a future goal, a destination. Deep in thought, Zawa couldn't comprehend why he should seek a goal beyond his life as a woodcutter. After all, he already achieved what he set out to do each day.

As the teacher pressed on, Zawa grew increasingly confused. Was it obligatory for everyone to seek a distant goal? Did people who chose not to walk such a path deserve to be called "directionless"? Could one not be content in the present moment?

That night, Zawa shared his classroom experience with Caillou. His father, understanding the simplicity of contentment, advised his son to tell them what they wanted to hear. "Even teachers have their ambitions," he chuckled.

The following day, Zawa returned to school, declaring, "I want to be a doctor." The teacher smiled, satisfied with Zawa's newfound ambition. Yet, Zawa, gazing out the window at nature's unchoreographed beauty, contemplated the complexities of human ambition.

The clouds didn't move with a set purpose, the rain fell without a plan, and the grass grew without a design. Nature was simply itself, untamed and unbound. In this revelation, Zawa understood that humans were both a part of nature and its greatest tamers.

Zawa questioned the need for a predefined path and destination in life. He pondered whether one could be content in the present, embracing the ever-evolving journey of existence. His story reminds us that life's beauty often lies not in the destination but in the uncharted paths we follow.

In a world where ambitions guide many, Zawa's tale invites us to find fulfillment in the simplicity of each moment, acknowledging that our aspirations can be as profound as the quiet wisdom of the forested hilltops.