In a quiet village surrounded by dense forests, there lived an elderly woman named Meera. She was known for her kindness and the small lantern she carried wherever she went. The lantern, though old and rusty, glowed with a warm, golden light that seemed to chase away the shadows of the night.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a young boy named Ravi knocked on Meera’s door. His face was streaked with tears, and his voice trembled as he spoke. “Grandmother Meera, my little sister is very sick. The healer says she needs a special herb that only grows deep in the forest. But it’s dark, and I’m afraid to go alone.”

Meera smiled gently and handed him the lantern. “Take this, Ravi. Its light will guide you and keep you safe.”

Ravi hesitated. “But what about you? Won’t you need it?”

Meera shook her head. “The light isn’t just in the lantern, child. It’s in your heart too. Go now, and trust in its glow.”

With the lantern in hand, Ravi ventured into the forest. The trees loomed tall and dark, and the night was filled with unfamiliar sounds. But the lantern’s light seemed to grow brighter with every step, illuminating the path ahead. Soon, Ravi found the herb and hurried back to the village.

When he returned, his sister was healed, and the villagers marveled at the lantern’s magic. But Meera simply said, “The lantern’s light is just a reminder of the courage we all carry within us. Sometimes, all we need is a little spark to find our way.”

From that day on, the lantern became a symbol of hope in the village, passed from one person to another, lighting the way through life’s darkest moments. And though its glow was small, it was enough to remind everyone that even in the deepest darkness, there is always a light to guide us home.