The Journey of The Starry Lantern
In a faraway land called Orion, lived a boy, named Eliel. Barely ten, small-built, but with dreams bigger than mountains, brighter than stars, Eliel was a unique creature in his own universe. Behind bright and sparkling blue eyes, that reminded people of a clear sky, there was a mind full of magic and imagination. Every new day was a grand adventure, every moment, a new chapter of a great saga.
Eliel's father was a lantern-maker, a good one indeed, because he could make lanterns full of stars. Nobody knew how he did it, he used to say 'It's a secret recipe from my father, quite simple, using ordinary stars from the night sky.' And as day transformed into night, the town would flicker with glowing lanterns, creating a landscape straight from a fantasy world.
It was a late autumn evening; Eliel was helping his father in the shed when he asked, 'Father, can I make a lantern?' His father smiled, picked up a simple, unadorned lantern, and handed it to Eliel with the words, 'Go on. Fill it with the most beautiful stars.' Eliel held the lantern, looking at his father's eyes gleaming with enthusiasm, for the first time it wasn't just a lantern, it was a canvas, awaiting his imagination.
Eliel spent days and nights making the lantern, away from the eyes of the townsfolk, filling it with clandestine stars, adding his dreams one by one. When he finally completed, a bright orb stood beside him glowing with pride, flickering with dreams. He named it 'Starry Lantern'. Despite its sheer beauty, the lantern stayed in the attic, away from attention, as Eliel feared its judgment.
Days turned into months, the seasons changed their colors, until one day Orion was trapped in endless night. One fateful moment, every lantern in the town stopped glowing. People were paralyzed with fear, locked inside their houses, praying for the long night to end.
Eliel looked out the window, at the eternal darkness, and he remembered his 'Starry Lantern'. The Starry Lantern was not made for darkness but to flee it. Gathering all his courage, he ascended into the attic, unclothed the lantern from years of dust, and brought it down. Eliel's heart pounded, fear tried to choke his strength, still, he decided to light the lantern.
And with that small spark, the Starry Lantern came to life, illuminating the surroundings with its dreamy glow. Eliel walked out into the empty street; the brightness of the lantern pierced the darkness, igniting the path with hope. As Eliel passed each house, the lanterns started glowing again, fighting the darkness, driving it away. The darkness scattered away, leaving lonely Orion with its glowing lanterns, brighter than ever.
Seeing the illuminated town, Eliel smiled; his Starry Lantern not only brightened the town, but it illuminated his path of self-belief. He realized that he should never fear judgment. Instead, he should have faith in his dreams and believe in their power.
The tale of the Starry Lantern became the folklore of Orion, passed on from generation to generation. No one, henceforth, feared darkness or judgment, rather they welcomed the night as an opportunity for their lanterns to cast their glorious light. Every lantern became a symbol of individual dreams and aspirations, filling the night sky with a spectacle of lights.
Eliel, on the other hand, became the inspiring figure of Orion, leading with the brightest lantern, reminding people of their inner strength.
The Starry Lantern remained as the beacon that pushed away the relentless darkness, living on as an emblem of dreams, faith, and determination, a reminder that sometimes one has to go through the darkness to reach the light.
And thus, darkness was no more a foe, but a mere curtain to the extravagant show of lights, and every night Orion would glow with dreams, hopes, and endless possibilities.