🌙 The Last Candle in the Dark

There was no warning before the storm.
The wind blew through the trees, the thunder rocked the sky, and all the lights and torches in the small village went out. One by one, the houses went silent and scared. The night was darker than any the villagers had ever seen.

Kids stayed close to their parents. The old people said prayers in a low voice. Even the boldest men, who usually laughed at storms, were scared. They asked each other, “How can we stay safe without light?”

Mira, an old woman, resided in a little, twisted home at the very edge of the settlement. She was sweet and gentle, with a back that had been bent by years of work and eyes that still sparkled gently even though she was old. Mira looked through her cupboards when the storm hit. Finally, her fingers brushed over something smooth and thin: an old candle that she had almost forgotten about.

“It’s small,” she said softly, “but maybe small is enough.”

She struck a match with care. Fsshhh! The candle’s flame sparked to life, like a tiny heart beating. The room had a gentle radiance. Mira put the candle on her window.

Thom was lost in the dark. He had been despatched to get water when the storm hit, and now he couldn’t find his way back. He struggled through the dark darkness, and tears hurt his eyes until he saw it far ahead.

A light. A flash. A guarantee of safety.

Thom followed the light all the way to Mira’s house. With a smile, she opened the door.
“Come in, child.” No one should be alone in the dark.

More locals saw the feeble light and followed it, until Mira’s hut was full with people from the hamlet. A tired farmer walked by soon after, carrying his lantern without any oil. He also saw the light of the candle.

The candle bravely blazed on the table, and the light from the flame shone in their eyes.

“It’s such a small light, but it has led us all here,” said one man.
“Maybe we can make the light grow by working together.”, said someone.

They put together what they had: oil, gas, and a broken light. Small amounts of fuel were added to the fires and new ones were lit. The neighborhood quickly warmed up again, and the darkness faded.
She smiled and looked at them. She said with very soft voice, “You know, even a little light can help so many.” It’s amazing how little things like being kind can make a big difference. People in the area will always remember what happened that night. They thought of Mira’s small act of kindness every time they saw a candle light. It was the last candle in the darkness that turned into the first ray of hope.
Moral : Every good deed counts, because one small light can show the way for many.