The sun climbed higher in the sky as Jordan adjusted his heavy backpack and wiped the sweat off his face. He was halfway through a day hike on a new trail, one he’d chosen for its challenge and rumored beauty. But as the hours passed, he realized he might have miscalculated one thing: his water supply. His pack felt heavy, loaded down with extra water because the hike was long, and he didn’t expect any sources along the way.
Jordan stopped in the shade to think about what to do. Turning back felt like defeat, but pressing on with such a heavy pack was draining his energy. “I need to think of something, quick!” Jordan said to himself. He opened his map to see where he was. No marked water sources were nearby, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any.
He remembered a tip his dad had given him: “Nature leaves clues if you pay attention.” Taking a deep breath, Jordan decided to slow down and really observe his surroundings. He listened carefully, hoping to hear the faint sound of running water. Nothing. Then, as he looked around, he noticed something small but promising: a patch of lush, green plants growing thicker than the rest of the forest floor.
Curious, Jordan stepped off the trail and carefully followed the patch. The greenery led him downhill, where he spotted a trickle of water seeping from between two moss-covered rocks. Excitement surged through him. He knelt down and brushed away some leaves, revealing a small but steady flow of clear water.
Jordan pulled out his water cleaner and carefully filled his bottle. The cool, fresh water was exactly what he needed. As he drank, he realized something else: finding this hidden spring meant he might not have to carry so much water on future hikes, making the journey easier. If he stayed observant, he might not need to carry as much water, especially on trails with natural sources.
Jordan sat down to rest, feeling better. He thought about how slowing down and looking around had helped him. His decision to slow down and observe had turned a potential problem into an unexpected discovery.
When he returned home that evening, Jordan told his family about the hidden spring. His dad grinned and said, “See? The forest has secrets that aren’t on any map. You just have to notice them.”
Jordan nodded, knowing he’d carry that lesson on every hike. Sometimes, the solutions to our problems are right in front of us—we just have to take the time to notice.
Jason Campbell
01/09/25
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