The Old Lantern and the Journey Home – A Tale of Patience and Wisdom

"The Old Lantern and the Journey Home – A Tale of Patience and Wisdom"

In a small mountain village… where nights were darker than ink, and stars seemed close enough to touch… there lived an old man who was known by everyone simply as “Lantern Baba.”

He had one thing that never left his side — a worn-out, copper lantern that glowed like the morning sun.

[Scene 1 – Curiosity rises]

One evening, a young traveler named Adeel came to the village.

He had walked for days, his clothes covered in dust, his feet blistered from stones.

When night fell, the village streets turned black, except for one small circle of light… coming from Lantern Baba’s lantern.

Adeel, curious, walked up and asked,

"Baba, why do you carry this lantern everywhere? The sun has set… but aren’t you tired of walking around at night?"

The old man smiled, his eyes reflecting the glow of the flame.

"My son… this lantern has been with me for fifty years. It is not for me… it is for others who walk in darkness."

[Scene 2 – The offer]

Adeel laughed softly,

"But Baba… what good does it do? The darkness is so big… your lantern can only light a few steps ahead."

The old man placed a gentle hand on the traveler’s shoulder.

"Yes… it only lights a few steps. But sometimes… that is enough for a person to find the path. You see, the world is too big to light all at once. But you can still light the way for someone near you."

[Scene 3 – The journey begins]

The next morning, Adeel told Baba he needed to reach the next town — but the road was long, rocky, and without signs.

Baba offered to walk with him for part of the way.

And so, the young traveler and the old man began their journey, the lantern swinging gently between them.

Every step was lit just enough for them to see the stones, the puddles, and the safe places to walk.

[Scene 4 – The temptation]

Hours later, they came to a crossroads.

One path looked wide, smooth, and easy. The other was narrow, steep, and filled with shadows.

Adeel pointed to the wide road,

"Baba, this must be the faster way. Look, it’s straight and open."

The old man shook his head.

"Sometimes, the easy road hides the hardest lessons. The narrow road may be slow… but it is safe."

Adeel hesitated, but followed Baba’s advice.

[Scene 5 – The lesson in darkness]

After some time, Baba stopped and handed the lantern to Adeel.

"Here, you carry it now."

Adeel felt a strange weight in his hands. The lantern was not heavy, but it carried responsibility.

As he walked ahead, he noticed something — the light not only showed the road for him, but also for Baba behind him.

"Baba… I understand now," he said.

"When I carry the light, I guide not just myself… but anyone who follows."

The old man smiled,

"Yes, my son… and one day, you must pass the light to someone else. That is how wisdom travels — step by step, hand to hand."

[Scene 6 – The parting]

By evening, they reached a small bridge near the next town.

Baba stopped.

"This is where I leave you. My road turns back."

Adeel held the lantern tightly.

"Baba… let me keep this lantern. I will take care of it."

But the old man shook his head.

"The lantern is not mine to give… it belongs to the journey. You must find your own flame… but remember what you have learned: even a small light can guide someone through great darkness."

[Ending – Emotional close]

Adeel crossed the bridge, the moon now lighting his way.

He walked on, but something in his heart had changed.

From that day on, wherever he traveled, he lit a small fire — in words, in deeds, in kindness — for those who walked beside him.

Because he understood…

In this vast, dark world, you cannot light everything…

But you can always light something.

[Closing Line – Soft fade-out]

And sometimes… that is enough to change a life.