Arlo, Keeper of the Light
When a big storm puts out the lighthouse lamp, Arlo climbs the stairs to save the boats.
On a cliff by the sea stood a tall white lighthouse. Pippa the elephant was the lighthouse keeper, and Arlo came to help every day after school.
One evening, the sky turned dark and the wind began to howl. Big waves crashed on the rocks. ‘Storm’s coming,’ said Pippa. ‘We must keep the light shining so that the boats can find the harbour.’
But suddenly, a loud CRACK! Lightning struck, and the lighthouse lamp went dark. Pippa tried the switch. Nothing. ‘The bulb has blown,’ Pippa said. ‘And I can’t climb the stairs with my sore leg.’
Out on the water, a bobbing blue tugboat was heading for the rocks. It couldn’t see where to go. Arlo looked at the dark tower, then at the stormy sea. ‘I’ll go,’ said Arlo. ‘I can do it.’
Arlo took the spare bulb and a torch and began to climb. Up, up, up the spiral stairs. ‘One hundred steps,’ he counted. The wind rattled the windows, but Arlo kept going.
At the very top, Arlo carefully swapped the old bulb for the new one. He flipped the switch. FLASH! A great golden beam swept across the waves, lighting up the whole sea.
Far out, a bobbing blue tugboat turned and followed the light safely into the harbour. The crew waved. Arlo waved back from the tower. ‘Well done,’ said Pippa, when Arlo came back down. ‘You are a true keeper of the light.’
The little lesson
When others are in trouble, brave and helpful hearts can light the way.
Let’s talk about it
- Why is a lighthouse important?
- Was Arlo scared, and how did he keep going?
Finish stories to collect Arlo as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Under the Sea stories
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Alfie the octopus is the best hider in the sea. Can anybody find him?
Flo Swims Out to Sea
Flo is a little fish with a big wish: to see what lies beyond the coral reef.
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