THE LIGHTHOUSE

There once was a young man who wanted to be a Lighthouse Keeper. After searching for many weeks he found a Lighthouse Keeper who was willing to show him what it took to look after a Lighthouse. As the young man arrived he saw the stone light-house standing on the rocky shore like a giant sentinel. Its glass top shining like a diamond in the morning sun. He leant his bicycle against it's dark grey wall and knocked on the large wooden door. There was no answer. He knocked again, this time a little louder. From deep inside he heard a muffled cry.

"I'm coming. Hold your horses." Came the reply.

After a short time the young could hear the dull thudding of boots on a stone floor. The old wooden door creaked its complaint as it reluctantly opened, and before the young man appeared the Light Keeper. He wore a large oil skin coat and heavy boots. His grey beard sticking out in all directions.

"Don't get many visitors out here. You must be that young man who is interested in being a Light Keeper?" he asked.

"That's right Sir." The young man replied politely.

The Light Keeper opened the door completely and gestured for the young man to enter. He pointed to an old armchair next to a small fire.

"Take a seat son." He instructed.

The young man crossed to a chair on the far side of the room. It smelled musty and a little damp but the fire provided just enough heat so it was comfortable.

"So you want to be a Light Keeper do you?" the old man asked. 

"That's right." The young man said.

"You had any experience with Lighthouses?‟ The old man asked.

"No Sir." The young man replied.

The Light Keeper then began to tell his guest the history of the Lighthouse. How long it had been there, and more importantly why it was there.

"You see young man, this coastline is very rough. In a big storm you can't see far enough ahead to know where you are going. This lighthouse shows the ships at sea where the land is so they can stay clear." The Light Keeper said.

The young listened intently. Every so often he would nod, or gasp at some of the things the Light Keeper had seen.

"Well I guess you would like to see the rest of the Lighthouse wouldnt you?" the Light Keeper finally asked.

"Yes please." The young man answered excitedly.

"This area here is the living quarters. We eat and sleep here."

The Light Keeper struggled out of the chair he was sitting in and moved to the stairs.

"Come on then, follow me." He said and the young man leapt across the room with enthusiastic strides. The Light Keeper led the way up the stairs.

"There are 210 stairs." He announced as they began to climb.

As they passed each of the 8 floors there was a small window in the side of the lighthouse. As they got to each landing the Light Keeper would stop and check that the window was closed tightly.

As he walked up the stairs the Light Keeper ran his hand along the wall.

Finally they stepped up into the Lantern Room. The morning sun had warmed the tiny room to a toasty temperature. The young man stopped. His mouth open as he looked up and down the rugged coastline. Waves crashing on rocks for as far as the eye could see. For several moments he just stood there staring at the ocean.

"Do you ever get tired of looking at this?" he asked finally.

"Nope." The Light Keeper answered.

Then without turning to the old man asked of his guest.

"Well son you've seen the whole place now. Tell me, what part of the lighthouse do you think is the most important?"

Without hesitation the young man answered. "The light of course."

"The light is very important, but to be a good Light Keeper you must take care of the whole house." The Light Keeper said.

"Is that why you checked the windows as you came up." The young man asked.

"Yes." The Light Keeper answered.

The young man looked down at the floor for just a second and then asked. "Excuse me Sir, but why did you run your hands along the wall all the way up?"

"You saw that did you?" the Light Keeper asked.

"Yes Sir." The young man replied.

"I feel the wall for moisture and cracks or gaps in the wall. In a heavy storm the walls get pounded by huge waves. The lighthouse would be pretty useless if the walls collapse. The brightest light is no good lying on the ground." The young man nodded his agreement.

"Take care of the light. Make sure it is clean and shining brightly, but also guard the walls for when the storms come they will protect the light.

MORAL

The same is true of our own lives. We must guard what is truly important.

So, Shine on and guard the walls!

THE END