Mila's Journey in Learning about Coal Miners.

Mila's Journey in Learning about Coal Miners! 

Mila was a curious 8-year-old girl who loved to hear stories, especially those from faraway places. She lived in a cozy apartment in a bustling city with her mother, Nana Rose, who always had fascinating tales to share. This year, Nana Rose had gone on a big adventure to a place called Katowice in Poland, to attend a Wikimania conference. Mila was eager to hear all about it.

One evening, after dinner, Mila snuggled up next to Nana Rose on their big, comfy couch. “Tell me everything, Nana! What did you see in Katowice? What did you learn?” Mila asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Nana Rose smiled and began her story. “Ah, Mila, Katowice is a city filled with stories of strength and hard work. When I was there, I saw something very special—a band made up of coal miners. They wore dark uniforms with shiny brass buttons, and they played trumpets, tubas, and drums. Their music was powerful, like the rumble of a train.”

“Coal miners?” Mila asked. “What’s a coal miner?”

“Coal miners are people who work deep underground, digging out coal, which was very important for heating and running factories long ago,” explained Nana Rose. “The work was hard and dangerous, but the miners were proud of what they did. They built a lot of the world we see today. Their music was a way to honor their bravery and the hard work they did for their families and country.”

Mila imagined the coal miners in their uniforms, playing their instruments with proud smiles on their faces. She could almost hear the deep, strong notes of the tubas. “Wow,” she said softly. “That sounds amazing. Did you learn more about them?”

Nana Rose nodded. “Yes, I did. I learned how important coal miners were to Poland, much like the people who built things here in our country. When I was a little girl, my father was a cement finisher. He helped build our neighborhood streets and sidewalks, just like the miners helped build Poland.”

Mila’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Did your father wear a uniform, too?”

Nana Rose chuckled. “Not quite! But he did wear blue jeans every day to work—before they were fashionable like they are now. And he carried a metal lunch pail. Inside, he’d always save a little treat for me, like a cinnamon roll or a mint patty.”

Mila smiled, imagining her great-grandfather working hard all day and thinking of his daughter while saving her a treat. “That’s so sweet, Nana. It sounds like he was really proud of his work, just like the coal miners in Poland.”

“Exactly, Mila,” Nana Rose said. “People like my father and the coal miners take pride in their work because they help build the world around us. They are like the strong roots of a big tree, holding everything together.”

Mila leaned back, thinking about all she had heard. “It’s like every place has its own story to tell,” she said thoughtfully. “And all these stories are connected somehow.”

Nana Rose nodded. “Yes, they are. Last year, I went to Singapore for another conference. It’s a city that grew very quickly, and everyone there worked together to build something great in just a few years. It made me think about how we sometimes talk a lot about solving problems but don’t always take action. In Singapore, they showed me what can happen when people come together with a strong vision.”

Mila grinned. “So, if we all worked together like the people in Singapore, or took pride in our work like the coal miners, or your father, we could make amazing things happen too?”

“That’s exactly right, Mila,” Nana Rose said. “That’s why I love traveling and learning from people all around the world. Every story teaches us something new about how we can be better, kinder, and more connected.”

Mila’s eyes were bright with inspiration. “One day, I want to go to places like Katowice and Singapore and learn their stories too, Nana. And maybe I’ll have my own stories to share with the world!”

Nana Rose hugged her tight. “I have no doubt you will, Mila. Your heart is already full of wonder, and that’s the best start of any journey.”

As Mila drifted off to sleep that night, she dreamed of coal miners playing their instruments, city builders in blue jeans, and the bright lights of a faraway city where anything seemed possible. She knew there was a big, beautiful world out there, filled with stories just waiting for her to discover.

And she couldn’t wait to start her journey.

The End