Lighthouse

Flint is a town of Giants. There it is universally acknowledged that the most boring job is keeper of the lighthouse. This was not always so. There were many seasons when the lighthouse profession was full of excitement and suspense- namely when the great storms attacked both land and sea. But, for years now, the storms have avoided the area. Some think, never to return.

Young Bakko had become an apprentice to the lighthouse during the last season of storms. Everything was well until the original keeper, Tabor, retired, thus propelling Bakko into sole responsibility of this house. He began to realize the full measure of solitude being the keeper required.

The consistently fine weather made lighthouse keeping dull work. Though he tried to fight it, grumbling overpowered his good nature and tainted his outlook with gloom. He felt he spent so much time tending the beacon’s fire for a perpetually empty sea. Discouraged, he did progressively less work each day.

His lackadaisical approach to his work climaxed when he accepted an invitation to a celebration that was unwise to attend given the unfavorable location and time. Bakko was enjoying himself until something happened that hadn’t occurred in years, an ominous easterly wind began to blow. He rushed back to the lighthouse with a sense of foreboding dogging each step.

There was old, faithful Tabor doing his best to chop wood. Out at sea, a wall of thick black clouds was speeding towards them. Ashamed, he knew the fire in the brazier was weak and trembling, and there was no wood ready to restore it.

Tabor was yelling instructions to him over the roar of the wind. Together they worked as quickly as they could to restore the beacon. Finally, there was a strong blaze and the two looked out at the dark storm. Tabor’s experienced eyes saw the wreckage before Bakko’s had. He ran to call for aid.

The Giants in town rushed to the shore to fish the sailors out of the freezing water. Bakko stood frozen as the weight of his failure fully settled upon him. Tabor was soaked and angry when he returned.

Tabor pointed out at the wreckage, “That is the result of carelessness.” Then he took a deep breath to calm himself. “The sea is never empty. You can’t abandon your post. Remember this night and remain diligent, even on the sunny days.”

All through that night the lighthouse led many ships to safety. Bakko would always remember; he rededicated himself to the lifesaving importance of always keeping the light burning.

The quiet days are over. Wake up from your numb nap. The great storms are upon us. - Tabor