Basil and the Stormy Night
When a big storm puts out the lighthouse lamp, Basil climbs the stairs to save the boats.
On a cliff by the sea stood a tall white lighthouse. Hattie the bear was the lighthouse keeper, and Basil 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 Hattie. ‘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. Hattie tried the switch. Nothing. ‘The bulb has blown,’ Hattie said. ‘And I can’t climb the stairs with my sore leg.’
Out on the water, a tall white sailing boat was heading for the rocks. It couldn’t see where to go. Basil looked at the dark tower, then at the stormy sea. ‘I’ll go,’ said Basil. ‘I can do it.’
Basil 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 Basil kept going.
At the very top, Basil 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 tall white sailing boat turned and followed the light safely into the harbour. The crew waved. Basil waved back from the tower. ‘Well done,’ said Hattie, when Basil 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 Basil scared, and how did he keep going?
Finish stories to collect Basil as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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