On a remote cliff stood an old lighthouse named Alder. He watched over the sea for ninety years, flashing warnings to ships through storms, fog, and endless nights. But Alder had a secret dream: he wanted to see the world he protected.
One stormy night, a young painter named Lila took shelter in the lighthouse. She lit a lantern and looked around, seeing beauty where others saw rust.
“You must be lonely,” she whispered, resting her hand on the stone wall.
Alder had never felt anyone speak to him before. His light flickered warmly.
“Maybe you want to see the ocean from up close,” she smiled.
For weeks, Lila stayed there, painting the sea, the cliffs, and the lighthouse itself. One morning, she brought a canvas and set it on a stand.
“This,” she said, “is your view of the world.”
On the canvas, Alder saw beaches, boats, whales, and sunsets, everything reflected through her brush. Each day, she showed him a new painting. Each day, his light glowed brighter.
When Lila finally left, Alder didn’t feel lonely anymore. He had seen the world through her art. And every ship that passed swore the lighthouse’s beam looked warmer, almost joyful, like a dream finally lived.
