Mindset story: The seven wonders of the world most people forget about

Anna was a 9-year-old girl from a small village, where she had just completed the fourth grade. To continue her education, she needed to enroll in a school in a nearby city. When she was accepted into a highly reputable school, she was overjoyed. It felt like the beginning of something big, something special. Today was her first day at the new school, and she arrived with excitement bubbling inside her. She walked into the classroom, her eyes wide with curiosity, but as soon as she stepped in, she noticed the other students staring at her. Her simple clothing and modest appearance made it clear that she was from a rural village, and before long, whispers spread across the room. Some students began to giggle, others smirked, and a few even made comments about how she looked different from them. But Anna, though she felt the sting of their words, chose not to let them affect her. She kept her head high, determined to make the most of this opportunity. Just then, the teacher entered the room, immediately quieting the students. She introduced Anna to the class and warmly welcomed her, saying that from today onward, she would be studying alongside them. Anna smiled shyly, grateful for the teacher’s kindness.

The teacher then made an announcement. “Today, we will begin with a small surprise test,” she said. “I want each of you to write down what you believe are the seven wonders of the world.” The students quickly took out their papers and pens, writing down their answers with confidence. Most of them had already learned about the seven wonders a few days earlier in their lessons, so they wrote their responses without hesitation. Meanwhile, Anna, unfamiliar with the topic, took her time. She thought deeply, carefully considering her answer. While the other students had already handed in their papers, Anna was still lost in thought. Noticing her delay, the teacher approached her gently and said, “Don’t worry, dear. Just write down whatever you know. There’s no wrong answer.” Anna looked up and nodded. “I was just thinking,” she said, “there are so many wonderful things in the world, I don’t know which seven to pick.” Then, with a soft smile, she finished her paper and handed it in. The teacher began reviewing the students’ answers aloud. As expected, most had listed famous landmarks like the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Taj Mahal, and other well-known sites. The teacher nodded approvingly, proud that her students had remembered their lesson.

Finally, she reached Anna’s paper and read it aloud, “The seven wonders are the following, to be able to See, to be able to Hear, to be able to Feel, to Laugh, to Think, to be Kind, and to Love.” A hush fell over the classroom. The students, who had been so quick to judge Anna for her background, suddenly found themselves at a loss for words. The teacher stood in stunned silence, deeply moved by Anna’s wisdom. Her answer was simple, yet more profound than any historical monument they had listed. In that moment, the students realized that the most precious wonders in the world weren’t built by human hands, but were the gifts they had been given every single day, the ability to experience the world, to think freely, to feel emotions, to share kindness, and to love others. That day, a young girl from a small village taught an important lesson to an entire classroom. She reminded them that while great structures may stand tall, the true wonders of the world are the simple yet invaluable gifts of life itself.