The Lantern Keeper

There once was an old oil lantern that lit up the middle of a busy town square. It had been lit long ago when the town was first built and had never gone out since. Every night, from dusk til dawn, the lantern lit up the town square and showed people their way home.

To make sure the lantern stayed lit, every evening, a quiet old lantern keeper came by with a small oil can and rag. She trimmed the wick, cleared away the soot, refuelled the oil, and made sure the flame had what it needed to keep lighting the way for others.

No one ever paid her much attention. They were exhausted from their long day's work. They had their family and dinner waiting at home. They had their own lives to live. However, on one stormy night, when the town square was empty, the lantern keeper caught the attention of a young boy.

While being dragged home by his mother, the boy wondered why the lantern keeper didn't hurry home like everyone else. She was soaked to the bone, shivering, but shielded the flame with her coat as she cleaned the glass.

The next day, on his way home, the boy saw the same lantern keeper at the town square again. He asked his mom why the lantern keeper didn't hurry home like everyone else during the storm. The mom, encouraging the boy's curiosity, decided to take the boy to ask her himself.

When the boy asked the lantern keeper, she smiled and replied, "Without anyone to care for the flame, the town square would be dark and people would lose their way home. On stormy nights like yesterday, it's important I spend a little extra time to take good care of the flame so that everyone can get home safely."

In your work, you may not always be appreciated for your efforts. People may not understand the meaning behind your work. However, it doesn't make it any less important. No matter what your lantern is, take time to understand how your work impacts the lives of others.

If you can understand your contribution, on dark and stormy days, it will make your path a little brighter and keep you a little warmer. It will give you a reason to push yourself a little harder. Being at your best doesn't need an audience, but it does need a reason.