The Lantern's Wish
Once upon a time, in a peaceful village named Langshi, there lived an old lantern maker named Wu. Wu was widely renowned for his impeccable craftsmanship, and his meticulously made lanterns illuminated not just the village of Langshi but sold across the borders too.
Wu lived alone, and the memories of his cherished wife Yang, who left the world too soon, were his only companions. Fascinatingly, there was a curious tale associated with Wu’s lanterns. It was a whispered legend in the village that whoever lighted Wu's last lantern of the season was granted a single wish.
On an unusually cold winter night, there came a knock at Wu's door. It was a young orphan boy named Li, weak, shivering in his thin clothes. Li had heard about the lantern's wish and with hope in his eyes, he requested Wu to sell him the last lantern of the season. However, the impoverished boy couldn't afford to pay.
Touched by the boy's earnest request, Wu felt a sudden wave of compassion. He gifted the last lantern he had made that season to Li. The grateful boy thanked Wu profusely and rushed to the village square to light the lantern.
The villagers, intrigued at the sight, gathered around Li who was ready to make his wish. His only dream was to escape his poverty and give a comfortable life to his younger sister Su. With his heart full of hope, he whispered his wish into the lantern's glow.
Weeks turned into months, and surprisingly, there was a noticeable change in Li's circumstances. He found a job as an apprentice to a blacksmith from a neighbouring village, earning enough to feed himself and Su. The villagers noticed the significant change was in awe, and some started to believe in the power of the lantern's wish.
The news about the miraculous lantern reached Meifeng, a greedy merchant who resided in a neighbouring town. Lust for wealth in his heart and eyes full of greed, he arrived in Langshi on the last day of the season. He offered a massive amount of gold to Wu to secure the last lantern of the season, leaving Wu in a moral quandary.
But Wu, unaffected by the allure of gold, recognized the greed in Meifeng's eyes. He denied selling the lantern to the wealthy merchant. Frustrated, Meifeng left the village, vowing revenge.
Wu made his final lantern that season, his best yet, delicate and beautiful. When Li came to know about Wu's denial to Meifeng despite the offer of wealth, he was deeply moved. He decided to give up his chance of getting the last lantern, announcing that Wu deserves the last wish for his selfless deed.
Wu was surprised and touched by Li's gesture. He held the lantern and, in the silence of the night, whispered his desire – to meet his beloved Yang one last time. He released the lantern into the sky, watching as it floated away, merging with the stars. The villagers in awe, recognised Wu's longing and offered their deepest respects.
That night, Wu dreamt of Yang. They spent a beautiful dream-day together, laughing, sharing love, and reminiscing. When Wu woke up, he was filled with a sacred peacefulness that he had not felt in years. He was eternally grateful for this last memory of Yang.
The story of the old lantern maker, the orphan boy, and the wish-granting lantern became a beloved legend in the small village of Langshi and beyond. It was a simple tale, yet one that resonated profoundly, teaching the values of compassion, selflessness, and the power of genuine desires.