Early civilizations did fine without the wheel and axle. (The axle is the rod that goes through a wheel.)
The Egyptians had no wheels. But they still built the pyramids. The Aztecs created complex cities with many buildings, roads, and temples. And they did it all without wheels.
But we’ve come a long way since then. And wheels helped get us here! Wheels cut down on friction. In this case, friction is the resistance between what you’re moving and the surface you’re pulling against. Imagine trying to pull a child in a red wagon that has no wheels. It would be very hard, because there would be so much friction between the sidewalk and the wagon. Now put wheels and axles on the wagon. Pulling the wagon and child is much easier.