Inside the small snowy village called Waverly, near the town square, existed an ancient oak tree where the townspeople gathered one year after another to hang ornaments and light the Christmas tree. But this one would not be like before at all. The old, battered oak tree stood empty with stormy winds howling naked without life within it. The Christmas spirit felt much dimmer than every other year.
Ellie sat in her window. Her heart felt heavy, because the woodworker father always set the brightest lantern at the top of the tree and had done so for as long as anyone could remember. This year, however, the father had gone to the city for work, leaving his daughter and mother to manage Christmas on their own.
Late one evening, Ellie went into her father's workshop looking for comfort. She saw scattered tools and pieces of planks of wood. There, coming to rest in the dust of their room, was a lantern forgotten and unlit since the day her father said he would fix it years ago.
Ellie then began working resolutely with all the skills that he taught her to polish up the glass, tighten its hinges, and paint in a gold colour frame the edges. She put on fresh candle and now for sure, it seemed full of warmth like some portions of her father's spirit clutched in that thing.
On Christmas Eve, Ellie carried the lantern into the town square. The villagers gathered around the bare tree with somber faces. After taking a deep breath, Ellie climbed a ladder to hang the lantern at the very top.
When she lit the candle, the lantern’s golden light shimmered through the frosty air, casting a warm glow over the village. To everyone’s astonishment, the tree’s branches seemed to come alive, twinkling as though adorned with stars.
The villagers cheered and sang carols, their spirits lifted. Ellie’s mother hugged her tightly, tears in her eyes. “Your father would be so proud,” she whispered.
That Christmas, the lantern had already become a symbol of hope, reminding everyone that at the darkest times, the smallest light and efforts might bring warmth and happiness for all.
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Abusalman T S
