A village builds a clock tower so everyone can know the time.

At first, the tower helps.

People meet more easily. Work aligns. Meals are shared.

Over time, fewer people watch the sun.

The clock becomes authoritative.

When it breaks, no one knows if it’s morning or evening.

Arguments follow. Meetings fail. People wait for repairs.

One old woman keeps baking at dawn anyway.

She never stopped watching the light.

When the tower collapses, the village gathers at her door.

They call it wisdom.

She calls it paying attention.