Milán and the City of Sounds

In the bustling heart of a vibrant city, there lived a baby named Milán. Milán was not just any baby; he was a bundle of joy, with a smile that could light up the darkest days. His parents, Andi and Gömbi, adored him beyond measure. Everyone in their neighborhood loved him too; in fact, whenever Milán went out for a stroll, people would stop to admire his cherubic face, cooing and grinning as they watched him giggle.

However, there was one little hiccup in Milán’s otherwise perfect days. You see, Milán had a big, boisterous personality—so big that even the noisy city could not compete! The streets buzzed with chatter, honking cars, and laughing children, but all of those sounds seemed to fade away when Milán was upset. He would cry and wail, and oh, how he could wail! So loud it would reach the ears of Bubu papa, his grandpa, who often exclaimed, “I can’t hear a thing with that racket!”

One sunny Saturday morning, Andi and Gömbi decided it was a perfect day for an adventure—a fishing trip! They thought fresh air and the soothing sounds of nature would be just the thing for their lively little boy. But as they packed their fishing gear and sandwiches, doubt crept into their minds.

“What if Milán cries so loud that he scares all the fish away?” Andi fretted.

“What if other fishermen aren’t able to concentrate with his wailing?” Gömbi echoed, scratching his head.

The couple glanced at their little boy, who giggled joyously as he banged a rattle on his high chair. They knew deep down that they had to find a way to help Milán understand the importance of quieter voices, especially since they wanted to share special moments with him in nature.

As they set off for the lake, the city buzzed around them like a lively orchestra. Milán watched as people hurried by—some with briefcases, some pushing strollers, and others chatting on their phones. Each sound seemed to dance around him until he found himself captivated; yet, a little voice inside him felt a pang of worry.

Finally, they arrived at the serene lake, with the gentle lapping of water calming the usually loud Milán. The atmosphere felt different. Birds chirped melodiously, and the trees whispered as a soft breeze rustled through their leaves. Andi and Gömbi set up their fishing rods while Milán gazed curiously at the water.

“Isn’t this lovely?” Andi smiled at Gömbi, who nodded in agreement. They began to chat quietly while Milán watched the ripples, intrigued by how they formed and disappeared.

But then, just as a fish jumped out of the water nearby, Milán’s excitement bubbled over. “Wahhh!!!” he shouted, startling the fish back under the surface. Andi and Gömbi exchanged worried glances.

“Milán,” said Gömbi gently, “Look at the water. If you scare the fish away, we won’t be able to catch anything.”

Milán blinked, unsure of what his daddy meant. The concept of being too loud was still a mystery to him. Just then, Bubu papa, who had tagged along for the day, leaned in with his bad ear and smiled broadly. “You know, little one,” he said in his warm voice, “When you shout, all the creatures around you might feel just like the fish; they might want to hide away like they’re playing a game of peek-a-boo!”

Milán’s big brown eyes widened as he thought about this. He noticed the birds flying above, chirping their sweet songs. He imitated them, “Tweet, tweet!” Then he tried a softer sound just as the waves danced lightly across the water. “Wahhh…!”

Andi and Gömbi chuckled, and even Bubu papa smiled broadly this time. “Yes, that’s it, Milán!” Andi encouraged him. “You can be happy without using your loud voice. Look around; if you’re gentle, the world will share its magic with you.”

Empowered by this newfound understanding, Milán decided to try. The next moment, when Milán felt the urge to shout again, he took a deep breath. Instead of the usual wails, he gave a soft giggle that echoed through the lakeside like the gentle tinkle of a bell.

To his amazement, the fish began to jump! It was as if they were saying, “Thank you for letting us enjoy the water, too!”

Milán's laughter grew softer like the song of the birds, and soon he was clapping his tiny hands, delighted by all the little creatures who were coming closer. Andi and Gömbi felt proud as they unhooked a beautiful fish, the sun glinting off its scales like shimmering jewels.

As the day continued, Milán learned to express his joy in softer ways. He whispered stories to the fish, and who knows—they might have listened!

By the end of their fishing trip, Milán had not only brought smiles to his parents’ faces but had also discovered how sharing his happiness quietly could sparkle around him. As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, the family gathered to pack up.

As they made their way back through the city, Milán smiled at the people he passed, and this time, rather than a shout, he waved quietly, making each person return the smile he knew he could give so much more gently.

And that, dear friends, is how little Milán learned that while his voice was mighty, the world was an even better place when he used it to share his happiness with kindness—and they all lived more joyously amidst the wonderful sounds of their beloved city.