The Lantern in the Storm
The storm howled through the fishing village, waves battering the shore. Arun clutched the old
lantern his father had given him and set out to find his younger sister, who had run toward the pier.
Lightning flashed, illuminating her small figure struggling against the wind. He waved the lantern
high, guiding her back step by step. When they finally reached shelter, the lantern went out. Arun
realized it wasn’t the flame that had led her home, but his unshaken love shining through the storm.
The Old Guitar
Tucked away in the attic, the guitar gathered dust. Jonah found it one afternoon while helping his
mother clean. Its strings were worn, but when he strummed them, music filled the room. He played
softly, remembering how his late father used to sing. His mother paused at the doorway, tears in
her eyes. 'That was his song,' she whispered. Jonah realized the guitar wasn’t just wood and
strings— it was a bridge to memories, carrying his father’s voice into the present.
Footsteps at Midnight
Lila couldn’t sleep. The creaking floorboards echoed again, though everyone else was asleep. She
tiptoed down the hallway, her heart racing. The sound came from the locked storeroom. She leaned
close—silence. Gathering courage, she pushed the door open. Inside, moonlight revealed only
boxes and dust. Relieved, she turned to leave—only to hear footsteps behind her. Spinning around,
the room was empty. She bolted, vowing never to wander at midnight again.
The Paper Boat
Every afternoon, little Sam folded paper boats and set them afloat in the gutter after the rain. One
day, an elderly man stopped to watch. 'Why do you do this?' he asked. Sam shrugged, 'So they can
have adventures.' The man smiled, handing him a coin. 'Then here’s for your fleet.' Years later,
Sam would remember that small kindness, and it fueled his dream to become a sailor— his paper
boats transformed into real ships crossing oceans.
The Window
Bedridden for months, Clara’s only escape was the view from her window. She watched children
play, neighbors chat, and seasons change. One morning, she noticed a boy waving at her from
across the street. Day after day, he greeted her, lifting her spirits. When she finally recovered and
stepped outside, she searched for him. The neighbors told her no boy lived in that house. Yet Clara
still believed someone had been watching, reminding her that hope often comes from the most
mysterious places.
