A Light for Everyone

The new beam crossed the harbour. Three boats answered with their horns. By morning, fishermen crowded the stairs carrying oil, paint, and bread. Mara played her father's promise once, then opened the lamp's little door. The voices escaped like warm breath against the windows. She kept no recording for herself. When the council officer arrived, she handed him a different document: a petition signed by every crew in the harbour. That evening the lighthouse shone again, remembering no names, showing everyone the same safe way home.