Chapter 49: Forest of Talents
While the harmonious rhythm of the same melody still resonated across the tribes of the Alliance, Lin Chen's attention had turned to a more fundamental issue: the inheritance of knowledge and the cultivation of talent. On a crisp spring morning, he stood atop the Knowledge Tower, gazing at the bustling crowd below, a deep thought in his mind.
"We have a wealth of knowledge, but its inheritance still relies on word of mouth and sporadic records," he said to Canglan beside him. "We need a systematic approach to cultivate the next generation."
Canglan nodded. "Every tribe has its own way of teaching, but there's definitely a lack of system. What the children learn and how they learn it mostly depends on chance."
The next day, Lin Chen proposed the "Forest of Talents" plan at the alliance meeting: to establish a systematic education system so that every child can receive a comprehensive education while respecting the traditions of each tribe.
The plan has gained support, but implementation is fraught with challenges. The biggest controversy is over the content of the education: should it focus on traditional skills or new knowledge? Should it be taught uniformly, or should each tribe develop its own system?
After intense discussions, the alliance reached a compromise: the basic courses were unified, covering reading, writing, arithmetic, natural knowledge, and alliance history; professional courses were based on the characteristics of each tribe and taught specialized skills; and all children learned the basic culture and language of each tribe.
The first Alliance Academy was built next to the Tower of Knowledge. The building itself embodies educational philosophy: design inspired by the Silvermoon Tribe, stonework inspired by the Mountain Tribe, flexible partitions inspired by the Nomad Tribe, lighting inspired by the Lake Tribe, and decorative art inspired by the Shell Tribe.
Teachers are selected from outstanding talents in various tribes. They must not only have professional knowledge, but also have a passion for teaching and cross-cultural understanding.
“Education is not about indoctrination, but about inspiration,” Lin Chen said during teacher training. “It’s not about replicating the past, but about preparing for the future.”
The curriculum incorporates the wisdom of each tribe. Math classes use examples from hunting and trade; nature classes incorporate the ecological environments of each tribe; history classes explore the formation of alliances; and even physical education classes incorporate traditional sports from each tribe.
The most innovative aspect is "practical learning." Students take turns to practice in different tribes: learning hunting techniques from the mountain tribes, herding knowledge from the nomadic tribes, fishing skills from the lakeside tribes, agricultural techniques from the Silver Moon tribes, and handicrafts from the Shell tribes.
"This way, we can learn practical skills and understand the lives of different tribes." Yunshan is responsible for coordinating practical learning.
Education is not only for children, but also includes continuing education for adults. Tribal members can learn new skills and even change careers.
A middle-aged hunter studied to become a veterinarian; a textile worker studied to become a record-keeper; even the elderly took history classes and shared their experiences.
“It’s never too late to learn,” said an elderly man who took a computing course. “The new knowledge has made my knitting designs more precise.”
The education system also promoted the systematization of knowledge. To compile textbooks, tribal knowledge was reorganized, verified, and organized. Many obscure experiences were clarified, and much hidden wisdom was discovered.
“Teaching and learning benefit each other,” one teacher said during the textbook compilation, “learning for the sake of teaching leads to a deeper understanding.”
The Alliance Academy quickly became a hotbed of innovation, where students from diverse backgrounds sparked new ideas and came up with unprecedented concepts.
A mixed team designed an improved fishing net, combining the weaving techniques of the Lakeside Tribe and the strength calculations of the Silvermoon Tribe; another team invented a new counting tool, integrating the counting methods of each tribe; and there was even a group studying the relationship between astrology and climate to improve weather forecasts.
“Children’s thinking is unconstrained,” Lin Chen said after observing the students’ projects. “They can see connections that adults miss.”
The impact of education extends far beyond the classroom. Family education has improved, with parents learning more scientific teaching methods; tribal education has become more systematic, with traditional skills being better passed down; and even mutual learning among adults has become a trend.
One particularly successful project is the "Knowledge Messenger Program," in which outstanding students take turns teaching in various tribes, spreading knowledge while also learning about different cultures.
“Teaching is the best learning,” said a young messenger of knowledge. “In order to explain clearly, one must truly understand.”
The alliance holds an annual "Academic Exhibition" to showcase its educational achievements. Students from various tribes present their projects, exchange ideas, and even collaborate on research.
At the exhibition, a cross-tribal team's "water-saving irrigation system" received the highest praise. The system combines water collection from the nomadic tribes, terrace design from the mountain tribes, flow control from the lakeside tribes, and a distribution system from the Silver Moon tribes.
"This is the essence of Alliance education," said Elder Shi Yan when presenting the award, "respecting tradition, encouraging innovation, and promoting cooperation."
Education also promotes the development of alliance governance. The educated new generation better understands the concept of alliance, is more capable of thinking across tribes, and is more willing to cooperate for mutual benefit.
"Education is the Alliance's best investment," tribal representatives agreed at an Alliance meeting. "The talents cultivated will lead the Alliance forward."
In late autumn, the first class of the Alliance graduated. At the ceremony, the graduates pledged to use their knowledge to serve the Alliance, respect the cultures of all tribes, and promote exchange and cooperation.
"You are the first fruits of the alliance," Lin Chen said at the graduation ceremony, "but remember, the meaning of fruits is to give birth to new seeds."
Graduates go into various fields: some become teachers, educating the next generation; some become craftsmen, improving technology; some become doctors, saving lives; and some become explorers, exploring the unknown.
After the graduation ceremony, Lin Chen and Canglan strolled to the "Thinking Forest" behind the school - a quiet grove for students to meditate and communicate.
"From sporadic instruction to systematic education," Canglan sighed, "what a huge improvement."
Lin Chen nodded: "Education is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about cultivating thinking; it is not only about preparing for livelihoods, but also about shaping character; it is not only about serving the present, but also about investing in the future."
He pointed to the students conversing in the forest and said, "Look, children from different tribes can become friends, learn together, and grow together. This is the future of the alliance."
In the Thinking Forest, graduates are discussing a collaborative project: establishing an alliance-wide signal system to improve communications among tribes.
Under the starry sky, the school was brightly lit, and adult students in the night school were still studying. Signal lights from various tribes flickered, reporting peace and progress.
In this world without modern schools but full of educational wisdom, human beings are inheriting civilization in the most essential way: not through standardized tests, but through practical learning; not through competitive rankings, but through cooperative progress; not through mechanical memorization, but through inspired thinking.
The Forest of Talents not only cultivates talent but also deepens the alliance's bonds. Shared learning experiences foster friendships among young people from different tribes, a shared knowledge base facilitates communication, and collaborative educational programs foster mutual trust.
The soul from another world, standing in the forest of thinking, no longer misses the education system of modern society, but cherishes this education network based on understanding and respect.
Here, education is not a privilege or a burden, but a right and a pleasure; it is not a separation from life, but an integration into life; it is not about creating barriers, but about creating connections.
As the stars rise, illuminating the academy and the Thinking Forest, the Silvermoon Tribe and its allies are ready to continue their educational exploration. The journey of nurturing talent has just begun, but the direction is clear: respect, inspiration, collaboration, and innovation.
On this starry night, human civilization continues its eternal heritage in the oldest yet freshest way: how to pass on knowledge, how to educate offspring, and how to shape the future.
And all this is just the beginning of countless inheritances.
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