How does the moment William discovers the small windmill work to move the plot forward?

William's accomplishment, the successful construction of a small windmill, moves the plot forward by opening up opportunities, as it garners attention of reporters and journalists. The media attention leads to invitations from the international community for William to attend different conferences and talk about the process and completion of his work. The conferences also expose William to new technologies, which he brings back to his community, thus, imrpoving the lives of his friends and neighbors.

In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, the moment William discovers the small windmill is important because it marks the beginning of his transformation from a curious boy into an innovative problem-solver. When he realizes that a simple model can generate electricity, it opens his mind to the possibility of using science to help his struggling village. This discovery moves the plot forward by giving him a clear goal: to build a real windmill that can bring power and water to his community. It also shifts the story from survival during famine to hope and invention, showing the start of William’s journey as a young inventor.