The Faithful Candle

There was once a faithful candle who belonged to a little boy. His mother had given it to him that morning, so that when evening came it would keep him company, through the long and dark night. So when night fell, shortly after they had had their supper, the boy took out the candle and lit in the darkness with a matchstick's flame. It was still brand new and it burned with the vigor and brilliance of its new life. It filled his room with a soft bright light and made him happy for a while. Then, later that night, a storm arose and lashed out violently outside the house with great thunder and lighting. Still the beautiful candle shone on in the stormy night, keeping the boy safe with hope of the light and life it emminated. The rain and the downpour continued for a long a time, but still the candle flame endured bringing, comfort to the boy in the black and stormy night. At last the rain stopped and the boy lay in his bed at midnight, wishing to sleep, but the fear of ghosts and ghouls in the darkness outside, kept him awake once more. The candle was not young and new any longer, being halfway down its own stem with the wick and the flame, and halfway through his lifespan. Still the faithful little candle kept the boy company, assuring him that no ghosts or ghouls or monsters of the night would harm him. The boy put his trust in the flickering flame of the candle and as the dark morning hours drew on he eventually fell asleep in blissful slumber. The candle was short now and nearly done with his life and his duty. He burned down to his base as he kept a final watch on the little one in bed, and flickered out to darkness just as the dawn was starting the break outside. Soon the mother awoke the boy, and as he arose from bed, he saw that his trusty candle had burnt out. But he was happy because it had kept him safe and warm through the dark and dangers of the night. He would remember him well. A friend in need is a friend indeed.