The kids never listen, only realising the wisdom of experience after they’ve gained it for themselves.

We need better storytellers. Maybe this protagonist’s best hope is to tell her the story of the world, of the rise and fall of kingdoms, of the folly of mankind. Clearly, though, she doesn’t have time for his stories.

Bleak stuff indeed. I like your situation and the scenario with which you introduce it, and the anger dripping through the narrator’s voice.

Interesting use of first-person narrative, the imagery is great too! You might consider editing for tense, eg. yet our kings still fought for what little things they could gain from them.

Overall, a solid, interesting piece!

Thanks for the comments!

defineinsanity, ahh. I’ll get right to it.
I tried imagining how someone who has seen our modern world explain it to a person who has never seen skyscrapers and corporations. I don’t know if I succeeded, though.

ethelthefrog, that’s just one of mankind’s many flaws, I guess.
But I wouldn’t say that the narrator is entirely right in his views, though. I mean, we tell the new generations that they are the hope of the future, and yet we don’t trust their ideas or judgment?
I’m starting to wonder who is right here, the old man or the girl. haha