In a small, snow-covered village nestled deep within a valley, there lived an elderly woman known as the Keeper of the Lantern. Every year, on the eve of the New Year, the villagers would gather in the town square to light the Great Lantern, which symbolized hope, renewal, and the collective dreams of the community.
The Keeper’s role was to guard the lantern and its flame throughout the year, ensuring it never went out. Legend said the flame was ignited centuries ago by a bolt of lightning, gifted by the heavens to guide the village through dark times.
As the New Year approached, a fierce storm swept through the valley. Gale-force winds howled, and icy rain lashed against the windows. The villagers feared that the flame, despite its sheltered glass casing, might finally be extinguished.
On New Year’s Eve, the Keeper, now frail and bent with age, called upon the villagers. She told them, “The lantern’s flame is strong, but its true power comes not from my care alone—it thrives on the hopes and determination of each of you. To keep it alive through the storm, I need your help.”
One by one, the villagers stepped forward, bringing their own small lanterns lit from candles at home. They formed a circle around the Great Lantern, their flames dancing in defiance of the storm. Together, they shielded the central flame, warming it with their collective light.
The storm raged on, but the Great Lantern did not falter. When the winds subsided and the first light of dawn crept over the mountains, the villagers saw the flame burning brighter than ever. The Keeper smiled and said, “This is what the New Year teaches us: Alone, our light may flicker, but together, we shine unstoppable.”
From that day forward, the New Year’s tradition evolved. Each villager would bring their own light, a symbol of their individual dreams and contributions, and the village would unite to rekindle the Great Lantern. The storm had taught them that their strength lay in their togetherness, and every New Year began with a shared promise to illuminate the path ahead for one another.
Michael J McCluskey 