What Really Makes a Wonder?

 What Really Makes a Wonder?

A group of curious minds gathered for a discussion. The moderator stepped up to the board, wrote the words “Seven Wonders of the World,” and turned to the group. “Let’s hear your thoughts,” she said.

The first participant spoke confidently: “The ancient wonders.” Another chimed in, “The modern ones.” Soon, names began to fly—Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Colosseum. It was a familiar list, the kind you’d find in any textbook.

But then, a young boy raised his hand. “My mom and dad,” he said softly. The moderator paused, a smile forming on her face. “That’s... interesting,” she replied.

A teenager leaned forward. “Why only seven? Aren’t there more? Did the world stop being wonderful after the Eiffel Tower was built?”

The room stirred. Another young girl asked, “Who decided these seven, anyway? And on what basis—size? Age? Beauty?” Before anyone could answer, a boy added with a grin, “And did these ‘experts’ actually visit every monument on Earth before making up their minds?”

The moderator nodded, amused and intrigued.

Then a quiet girl spoke up: “My little sister once built a Christmas tree out of old toys, paper, and glitter. To me, that was wonderful. Does it count?”

The room went silent for a moment—not out of embarrassment, but reflection.

An elderly man broke the silence. “This conversation itself is wonderful,” he said gently. “Because it’s showing us something important—wonders are deeply personal. They can’t be boxed into a textbook or limited to a list of seven.”

Heads nodded in agreement.

The moderator smiled, erased the board, and wrote instead: “Wonders—known and unknown.”

“Let’s not get stuck on seven,” she said. “There are wonders all around us, waiting to be noticed. Some are ancient. Some are modern. And some are sitting right next to us.”

 M.L.Narendra Kumar