From Revolution to Peace: The Story of Valmont

The Republic of Valmont was born after a long revolution. Many years ago, the people lived under colonialism, and a foreign ruler governed the land with harsh power. The nation suffered under slavery, and war seemed endless. At last, a revolutionary army rose to defeat the old government. In the aftermath of the war, times were hard, but the new nation was alive with hope.

The new government built its institutions slowly. It opened a bureau for foreign affairs and formed a military council to keep the army ready. The premier promised to govern with authority and to protect peace. Diplomacy became the chief tool of the state, and its diplomats spoke diplomatically to avoid another war. Over time, the institutionalization of fair rules brought peaceful days to every village.

Politics in Valmont is now open to all. The government passed a law to entitle every citizen to vote. This empowerment of ordinary people reduced the dominance of rich families. Political parties may be large or small, and many nongovernmental groups offer advice to the lawmakers. The governmental system is still young, but it grows stronger each year.

Election day is always exciting. Each district sends a representative to the national assembly, and the majority of seats decides who will govern. Last year, a young woman from the south won a seat, and the whole country admired her courage. Parliament must approve every new law, and good representatives gain recognition for their hard work. On election night, a restless crowd waited eagerly for the results. She later received an award for her honest speech.

To keep the peace, the state keeps a small but strong troop. The military can deploy soldiers quickly when a border is in danger. The army also helps after floods and fires, which makes people admire their discipline. Soldiers carry arms only when authorized, and the chief of staff insists on strict rules.

After the great flood, an airborne team dropped food and medicine from planes. The government also sent medical assistance to the villages. A doctor checked the expiry date on every box of medicine. Her facial expression was calm, so no one felt panic. The news of the rescue brought widespread relief across the country.

Lena is a newcomer to the capital. She commutes to work by bus every day. Lately, she has been working at a new job in a government bureau. She works on the third floor of an old building that overlooks the city square. Her desk is close to the window, and a small bee sometimes buzzes near the flowers on the sill.

Her mentor, Mr. Han, is a gifted teacher. He gives her good advice about writing official reports. He is never ashamed to admit what he does not know. With his mentoring, Lena learns fast. He says the basis of good government is the ability to listen. 'A short-sighted leader ignores the people,' he tells her. 'A wise one converts their needs into policy.'

At the bureau, Lena's team works in a private office. The boss wants to embed a culture of honesty in every department. They foster new ideas and run an intensive training course for young staff. A helpful colleague explains the rules to her, and Lena proves to be a suitable candidate for the new role. Writing reports is consuming work, but she finds it meaningful. There is some insecurity about job changes, but the manager keeps a moderate tone. 'I am certain we can manage it,' he says. 'Anyhow, we will finish the project on time.'

At noon, Lena eats in the canteen. Today she picks a dish of beancurd and eggplant with a little sauce, and a biscuit with cream for dessert. She also takes a fresh apple and a bunch of grapes. The food is simple, but there is ample choice. She likes the cosy corner near the window, where the sun is warm.

On weekends, Lena visits her grandmother, who lives in a small village three hours' drive northwards. The old woman keeps bees and sells honey at the market. Her backyard has a small garden where ants march in a line and a hen picks at seeds. She tells an anecdote about a dinosaur she once saw in a museum in Florida, and Lena listens with a smile.

The grandmother is ninety years old, but she is still alive and strong. She remembers the revolution well. 'Many years ago,' she says, 'we had no electricity. We used firewood for heat and a candle for light at night.' She also remembers a gunman who hid in the forest. The people were not ashamed to ask for assistance from the new army. 'War is a deadly thing,' she says softly.

The village lies about thirteen kilometres from the town. Its fields stretch for many yards behind the houses. A farmer ploughs the land with an old tractor that still needs gasoline every morning. Last winter, a heavy storm blocked the road with a fallen tree, and one small bridge was broken. Still, the village has adequate water now, and ninety percent of the crops survived the dry season. The farmer pulls a heavy cart up the hill without complaint.

Grandmother is strict about timekeeping. 'Be on time,' she says. 'It is a sign of respect.' She has a tendency to repeat an old maxim: 'Simplicity brings happiness.' She believes each person has a unique path in life. Her small house is simple but cosy, and she keeps it spotless. Good habits, she says, keep life trouble-free.

Near the square stands a small museum of peace. Its octagonal hall holds old photos and an album of the revolution. A craftsman once carved the faces of the first leaders into a stone wall. Visitors may not hang anything on the walls. At the entrance, a booth sells postcards and small souvenirs. The entry fee is only a few rubles, so everyone can afford it.

A guide in the history museum says the printing press revolutionized the country, because ideas began to circulate freely. Courage characterizes the old heroes, whose portraits hang in the hall. The first premier called every soldier his comrade. Each year, the people still mourn those who died for freedom. A teacher tells her class that remembering history is a duty.

Last month there was a peaceful demonstration outside the foreign embassy. A group asked the ambassador to soften a trade rule. The police watched but did not force anyone to leave. One incident nearly caused trouble: a passer-by slipped and hurt his leg near the crowd. An ambulance arrived promptly and took him to hospital. The next day, the two governments met to discuss the affair.

Immigration is a new topic in Valmont. Some newcomers come from the south, and a few local people show prejudice against them. The government tries to deter such unfair feelings with education. It opens a new office to assist every immigrant. 'We must overcome the hurdle of distrust,' the minister says. 'A welcoming nation is a stronger nation.'

The police work hard to deter crime, and they act in conjunction with the local community. No one can evade the law for long, and no secret intrusion into a home goes unpunished. A recent series of small thefts worried the shop owners, so the police added more night patrols. They use force only when necessary. The city now feels safe again.

One rainy morning, Lena's bus was late. There had been a collision on the main road, so the driver took an alternate route through narrow streets. The trip took almost an hour, but she was not angry. She used the time to read. 'Being late is better than driving too fast,' she thought. She arrived at the office just in time.

The city is building a new bridge across the river. Engineers equipped the site with modern machines. It will be a breakthrough for trade, because heavy freight will cross in a single day. The project is fully funded by the state. A large crane can drag steel beams into place, and workers in helmets check every bolt. The mayor calls it a symbol of progress.

At the city science fair, Lena sees a new endoscope that doctors use to look inside the body. A small screen shows the image. The device runs on low voltage, so it is safe. Nearby, children try on a spacesuit and a wearable computer. A teacher explains an inductive charging pad with a simple slide show. A young boy with a wide smile asks question after question.

At the weekend market, an auction sells old tools. A farmer buys a plough for his field. Lena buys a postcard with a feather painted on it and a jar of honey. A stall sells cloth dyed with bright colors. She also sees a basket of apples and a large pumpkin that looks like a belly. The whole square is loud and cheerful.

At the market, Lena buys a bottle opener with a wooden handle, and the seller fixes a price tag to it. A brass band plays in the square, and a curl of smoke rises from a food stall. A sign hangs atop the gate and reads 'Fresh food daily.' People must squash together to pass through the narrow lane, but nobody complains. Only the smell near the fish stall is disgusting.

Lena loves to read. She keeps a list of books she wants to finish. One book recounts the quest of a scientist who searches for a secret formula. Another teaches an old maxim: 'Simplicity is the key to a good life.' She remembers a court case in the news where the verdict surprised everyone. 'Justice must never be a secret,' the judge said.

Lena's little brother is thirteen years old and addicted to computer games. Their mother does not allow him to play all night. One evening, his jaw dropped when the power was cut off during a tournament final. There was no panic; he just laughed. 'Maybe it is good to get rid of that game for a while,' he said. He finally ditched the old habit and now reads books before bed.

The national cycling team trains hard for the tournament. The coach says a steady hand on the steering is the key to winning. The team lost a race last month. It was a bitter defeat. Still, they survived the setback and trained harder. Their goal is a moderate but honest aim: to finish in the top three.

A local millionaire donated money to build a library, and the mayor will unveil its new sign this Sunday. People send their best regards to the donor. The library stands in a small yard behind the school. It is a unique gift to the town, and it spreads the quest for knowledge. The good news brought widespread joy to everyone.

Valmont still faces problems, but its people are hopeful. The government will re-evaluate its plans next year. It wants to relocate some offices out of the crowded capital to help smaller towns. A new stadium will host a big tournament next spring. Everyone, including ourselves, can help make the country better. The future is uncertain, but the quest for a better life never ends.