The Story of the Four Candles

Looking at life in a certain way allows you to realize that there are many losses we experience on a daily basis. Sometimes we lose peace when we quarrel or hold grudges; sometimes we lose love, because of the hatred we let in; and sometimes we lose our precious faith in whatever it is that keeps us going. There is one thing, however, that still remains despite all this. Read on:

Four candles flickered in the darkness. They were the only source of sound and light in the otherwise silent, black abyss.

The first candle announced, “I am Peace! How can I stay lit when the world is full of war, death and destruction?”

Peace quietly petered out.

The second candle declared, “I am Faith!. How can I stay lit when people dispense of me as yesterday’s trash?”

Faith blew out suddenly following a sudden gust of wind.

The third candle said sadly, “I am Love! How can I stay lit when people cast me aside and think they can live without me?”

Love went out in a puff of smoke.

Moments later, a small boy emerged from the darkness, and began to cry at the sight of the three extinguished flames of virtue.

“Why aren’t your burning? Your flames are supposed to flicker until the very end?”

“Fear not, young man! I am HOPE,” exclaimed the fourth candle. “You can use me to return the light to the others.”

The boy’s expression changed. His eyes began to shine, realizing he could reignite peace, faith and love once again.

While love is the most beautiful virtue of all, it is the flame of hope that should always flicker brightly through the darkest days of your life.

Only with hope there can be Peace, Faith and Love.