Hugo’s Lantern Night

Hugo joins the lantern festival, where the whole town glows.

Once a year, the town of Moonbridge held the Festival of Lights. Hugo made a paper lantern with Wally. They painted it with stars and a smiling moon.

On festival night, the streets were full of families. Music played. Smells of sweet cakes floated in the air. Esme the elephant lit the first lamp, and the light spread from hand to hand.

Hugo lit his lantern from Wally’s. Then he lit one for a little child who had none. ‘Thank you,’ said the child. A dozen lights, then a hundred, glowed in the street.

Hundreds of lanterns floated up into the night sky like golden stars. Everyone fell quiet. Hugo held Wally’s hand and watched them rise. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

On the walk home, Hugo said, ‘It’s like we all made one big light.’ Esme nodded. ‘Yes, my dear. Light shared is light doubled.’

💡

The little lesson

Light is brighter when we share it.

Let’s talk about it

  • Do you have a festival you love?
  • How did the lanterns make the town feel?

Finish stories to collect Hugo as a sticker in your Sticker Book.

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