El arroyo del bosque

Tomás walks through the forest on a cold morning. Near a path, he hears the sound of water, but the stream is almost dry. Many branches, leaves, and stones block the way.

Tomás puts his backpack on the ground and kneels beside the stream. First, he removes the branches with his hands. Then he moves a large stone. It is hard, but he does not give up. His boots get muddy, and his hands are cold.

Little by little, the water finds a small space between the stones. Tomás removes another branch and moves more leaves aside. Suddenly, the water starts to flow strongly. It runs down the stream and passes between the trees.

Tomás stays still and looks at the water. He listens to its sound and smiles. The forest seems more alive now. Then he sees that there is still a large stone in the middle of the stream. He wipes his hands on his pants and goes over to move it.

Tomás puts both hands on the large stone. He pushes once, but the stone does not move. He takes a breath and pushes again. This time, the stone turns a little. Tomás moves it to the edge of the stream.

The water passes quickly there. It jumps over the small stones and shines in the sun. Tomás sits down for a moment. He is tired but happy. His hands are dirty, and his pants are covered in mud.

Then he hears a different sound. A little farther down, the water does not follow the streambed. It goes to one side, between the leaves. Tomás stands up and walks slowly. There he sees many small branches and wet earth. The water forms a small puddle.

Tomás looks at the puddle and then at the stream. Should he clear that place too? He bends down to see it better.

Tomás touches the wet earth with his fingers. It is soft and full of leaves. Carefully, he removes the small branches and then moves the earth aside with a flat stone.

Little by little, the water leaves the puddle and returns to the streambed. At first, it flows slowly. Then it flows more strongly and joins the stream water. Tomás smiles when he sees that everything is clear.

He also places some small stones along the edge. This way, the water follows its path and does not flow back toward the forest. The sound of the stream is clear and cheerful.

Tomás washes his hands in the cold water. Then he picks up his backpack and looks at the stream one last time. The water flows between the trees in the sunlight.

He is tired, but he feels good. He has worked alone, but now the stream can keep flowing. Tomás walks back along the path while the sound of the water accompanies him.