The Light at the End of November
Once in the small city of Yarndell, there lived an old cobbler named Mr. Marlow. His hands were worn, eyes dim and yet, his spirit was as young as a child's, filled with enthusiasm and joy. A solitary figure, he was respected and loved in equal measures by the townsfolk. He was specially known for his knack of beautifully crafted shoes. He breathed life into the mundane chapels and turned them into artistic wonders. Irrespective of the hardships he faced, he greeted everyone with an infectious smile. Mr. Marlow was lonely, having lost his wife and children to a terrible accident many years ago. Yet, he shone brightly, like an unwavering beacon amidst the gloom.
His quaint cottage had a basement which served as his workshop. Every morning, post his routine prayers, he would descend to the basement, brimming with life. He'd toil throughout the day, the rhythmic tap-tap of his tools against leather echoed in the alleys of Yarndell. These sounds were a ray of hope that penetrated the gloom of late November, which it seemed, was the darkest month of Yarndell.
An unexpected guest arrived in Yarndell towards the end of November. The stranger was a tall, slender man covered in a high collared coat, a pulled-down hat obscuring his face. He visited the cobbler and ordered a pair of the finest shoes. Mr. Marlow, not one to shy away from a challenge, promised the man a masterpiece. Little did he know that these shoes were destined to carry a hefty promise.
Days turned into nights as Mr. Marlow worked diligently. As he held the last piece, a dismal cry echoed outside, sending shivers down his spine. Hesitant yet curious, he ventured out and saw the same tall stranger being hassled by the local miscreants. Mr. Marlow stepped in, defused the situation and bravely drove the ruffians away.
Gratitude washed over the stranger, rambling about a precious secret he carried. His name was Gabriel, a guardian angel disguised as a man on earth, chosen to gather individuals of pure heart for a higher purpose. The shoes were the last piece of the puzzle, the conduit for their sacred journey. Struck by the absurdity of the situation, Mr. Marlow chuckled. Gabriel, fired up by the doubt, revealed his wings, glowing in the dark street. Fear and awe washed over the cobbler. The heavenly entity offered Mr. Marlow an opportunity that very few had, to serve the divine beings in a celestial realm and reunite with his family.
Galvanized by the prospect, he agreed but made a humble request to Gabriel. He wished for the little town of Yarndell to bathe in light during the bleak November. With a nod of approval, Gabriel slipped on his radiant shoes, thanked Mr. Marlow and took a leap. In a blaze of holy flames, Gabriel and Mr. Marlow took to the skies. As they ascended, a radiant beam descended from the heavens above, illuminating the little town beneath, a phenomena people of Yarndell called 'The Light at the End of November'.
The townsfolk told the tale of their brave cobbler each year at the arrival of 'The Light at the End of November', inspiring and teaching generations the principles of kindness, bravery and benevolence. Above all, it served as a constant reminder of Mr. Marlow's legacy, proof of unwavering devotion, not just to his craft, but also to his fellow beings.