"Brick by Brick, We Survived" "In Water’s

of the Dam

In the heart of the mountains, there was a beautiful yet vulnerable village, constantly threatened by a recurring problem. Every year, with the arrival of spring rains, the lives of the villagers would change overnight. Water would rage down from the slopes of the mountains, overflow the riverbanks, and sweep everything in its path. It would nourish the crops—but also destroy them. Houses would collapse, and families would be left homeless.

The flood was not just a natural disaster—it was a story of fear, sorrow, and helplessness that repeated itself year after year. The people tried to survive. They built temporary barriers, laid bricks, prayed earnestly, but the floods were always one step ahead. Neither prayer alone nor human strength could hold them back.

One day, the village elder—an old man named Baba Rahmat—called the community to a gathering. Standing in the center of the council, he struck his wooden staff to the ground and said:

> "My dear people, if we do not find a new path, our village will become nothing but a memory. We must act. We must think. We must shape our own future."

Among the people sat a young, thoughtful, and courageous man named Ahmad. Inspired by the elder's words, Ahmad stood and declared:

> "I promise to stop the floods—but not alone. I need your cooperation, your trust, and your support."

Ahmad began the work of building a dam, together with the villagers. He consulted with the young, the elders, and the women. First, he studied the land around the village, observed the water pathways, and identified strategic spots where the dam could be most effective. This dam was not to be made of bricks and stones alone—it was to be built from the intentions, wisdom, and collective spirit of the people.

It was no easy task. Resources were limited, but determination was strong. Every morning, the villagers came together—some carrying mud, others stones, and wooden beams. Children fetched water, women prepared food, elders offered guidance, and Ahmad coordinated it all with unity and care.

Days passed. Then weeks. Then months. Slowly, the dam rose higher. But it wasn’t just the physical structure that was growing—people’s minds, trust, and collective strength were rising with it. Ahmad learned a lot about the laws of nature. He understood that the dam should not merely resist nature, but work with it. Water should not be blocked completely—it should be guided and shared wisely, so that the soil remained fertile, and life could flourish.

When the dam was finally completed, it was a great day. The entire village gathered. Prayers were made. Eyes were filled with hope, though hearts carried fear.

Months later, on a dark night, the rain returned—fierce and unforgiving. The same flood that had destroyed homes for generations came surging again. But this time, the dam stood firm. The water shook it, pressed against it, but could not break it—because it had been built with unity, belief, and collective strength.

The next morning, the sun rose bright. The village stood unharmed. Homes were safe. Fields were green.

The villagers looked at Ahmad, and though they said nothing, their eyes spoke gratitude.

Baba Rahmat smiled and said:

> "Floods may return every year—but if we stand together, our dam will always stand stronger."