Once upon a time people struggled to work and carry goods around. They had managed to build carts but it took far too many men or animals or both to pull them. Dragging them through the ground was no laughing matter. More often than not the carts got stuck in mud or crashed against rocks. So many goods were lost or damaged because of these accidents.

Little Anthony was only a ten year old boy who loved playing with his cane-made hoop, but he honestly wished he could help his people carry goods to sell in foreign villages and towns. He knew how important commerce was. His own father often got home exhausted and complaining how hard he and his fellows had worked only to drag the cart for just two kilometres. Then, unable to move it away from the rocks, they let the cart crash.

“So much hard work for nothing. So much food wasted,” he complained at supper time, sighing and dipping his bread on the vegetable soup his devoted wife had prepared for the family.

From his spot at the table, Anthony just stared as his mother patted his father on the shoulder.

“Better days will come, we mustn’t lose hope,” she told her husband.

The following day as usual, Anthony went play with his hoop. As usual too, he pulled it and watched it slide through the ground before he ran to fetch it. And again and again. Suddenly he stopped and groped the object. It slide so well. What if... he was just a boy, but yes, what if the villagers found a way to build wooden hoops - probably thicker than his - and adjusted them under the carts? Maybe it would be much easier to move them around?

The boy ran to meet his father and his companions. He seriously believed his idea was great.

“Papa, papa!” she shouted excitedly.

“Not now, Anthony. Can’t you see we’re busy?” his father grumbled, wiping his sweat from his forehead.

“I know, I know, but I’ve had an idea that might help if you all just listen to me.”

The men stopped and took turns to look both at the boy and at each other. Was it just a silly boy’s idea? Should they dismiss him or listen to him? His father decided.

“Very well, Anthony, tell us what your idea is, but be quick please. We can’t waste time.’

“Please look at my hoop.” Anthony said as he pulled it and saw it slide again through the ground. Then he looked at his father with a grin, excitement painting his cheeks scarlet.

‘What’s so special about your hoop?’ his father asked shrugging his shoulders. ‘Anthony, we have work to do. We can’t waste time with your hoop.’

‘No, papa. You see how well it slides? Now imagine if we created a few hoops like mine and adjusted them to the carts. You could transport them much more easily.”

The men stared at each other again in a buzz. That idea was actually really good for such a young boy.

His father rubbed his chin pensively. His little boy was intelligent.

“Well, well, my son. Who would have thought you would outsmart all of us, grown ups? That could work, indeed.”

Anthony smiled again, triumphantly.

“My men, let’s materialise this idea. Let’s build some hoops, surely thicker than my son’s, and see how they work under the carts.”

He need not repeat the order, the men promptly obeyed. It took them a few days to build solid wooden hoops, strong enough to withstand the weight of the carts. The first couple of experiences weren’t successful. The hoops gave in to the weight of the carts and broke. However, they didn’t give up. Perhaps they needed four hoops under each cart, rather than just two, this would better support the weight. After another try, they finally managed to build the first cart with what now they called wheels.

Anthony was so ecstatic he could hardly focus on anything else but the experience. The men were overjoyed too, it was indeed much easier to make the cars move on the ground. Moreover, they could now move them around the rocks and avoid crashing. What a brilliant idea the young boy had had.

As the trips to sell goods resumed, sales increased and the village prospered. All thanks to a ten year old boy who loved playing with his hoop.