The Story of the Little Lantern

A long time ago, in a quiet mountain village, lived a boy named Sam. Sam was small, curious, and always eager to help, but he often felt that what he could do wasn’t very important.
Every evening, the villagers would light lanterns along the road that wound through the mountains. These lanterns guided travelers safely through the dark forest and across the narrow paths. Some lanterns were tall and bright, glowing like little suns. Others were wide and strong, casting light in every direction.
Sam’s lantern was tiny. It was no bigger than his two hands put together, and its flame was so soft that it barely pushed away the darkness.
One night, as the villagers hung their lanterns, Sam looked at his little light and sighed.
“Why should I even bother?” he whispered. “My lantern is so small. It won’t make any difference.”
He almost blew out the flame. But something in his heart told him to hang it up anyway.
That same night, a weary traveler was making his way along the mountain path. He was old, his legs trembled with every step, and the darkness pressed heavily around him. He could hardly see the road, and once, he nearly slipped on a loose stone.
Just when he thought he might have to stop and rest in the cold forest, he spotted a faint glow far ahead. It wasn’t as bright as the other lanterns, but it was just enough. Step by step, the traveler followed the little light until he finally reached the safety of the village.
The next morning, the traveler found Sam and said warmly:
“Your lantern may have been small, but it was the light that saved me. Without it, I would have been lost in the dark.”
Sam’s eyes widened. He realized that even his little lantern had made a difference. From then on, Sam lit it proudly every night.
No act of kindness is too small. Even the tiniest light can guide someone out of the darkness.
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Collected Stories!