The Lantern in the Fog

In a quiet village, every evening, a mysterious lantern floated above the river.
No one knew who lit it, yet it guided travelers safely home.
One night, Lila, a curious young girl, decided to follow it. She walked through the mist, keeping her eyes on the glowing light.
The lantern led her past familiar streets and empty fields, then toward an old, forgotten bridge at the edge of the village.

Beneath it, an elderly man sat quietly, whispering to the water. The lantern hovered above him, illuminating the bridge for a few moments before moving again. Lila watched as it drifted slowly down the river, pausing now and then as if waiting for her to follow.

She crossed the bridge and continued along the riverbank. The lantern led her past trees, rocks, and reeds, always floating just ahead. Finally, it stopped near a small clearing where the man had been, and he spoke softly: “The lantern doesn’t guide travelers—it guides hope. When you believe, the path will appear.”
Lila nodded and returned home, but she didn’t forget what she had seen.

The next evening, she lit her own small lantern and placed it near the river. Each night, more villagers joined her, placing their lanterns alongside hers.
Over time, the river became a path of light. Travelers were guided safely, and the village learned to follow the lanterns not just for direction, but for hope. And every evening, Lila and the others would watch as the lanterns floated above the water, reminding everyone that even the smallest light can guide the way.

Photo is AI-generated