My Master's Candle
I wrote this for the basic premise of the story was for me to write about if I were a candle. Comments welcome.
My Master’s Candle
It was finally going to happen and I was very excited because for the first time I was going to be put to use. I’ve been sitting on a shelf for what seemed like eternity until one night, my master came, took me down and placed me on the front windowpane and finally set me aflame. It was an exciting feeling for I had never felt the warmth of the true nature of my being before, an experience I won’t ever forget.
The first thing I noticed was a symphony of varied-colored lights inside the dwellings that faced me in the brightest hues I had ever seen for I was not as vibrant as they for I was a solitary candle in an otherwise lonely house being the only illumination in the darkened room, but at least I was burning at last.
As my flame reached higher, I could see the blue velvet night, filled with stars and was taken aback by their beauty. They looked like tiny beacons of certainty. I was not so certain for I was easily extinguished by wind, drafts and my master’s gentle breath. These were the only precious moments I have ever had in my life and I didn’t want it to end, my lifespan being a mystery to me.
My master then sat down beside me and looked out the window until it was very late. I wondered what she was waiting for and when I asked her, she said, “a miracle.” What is a miracle, I asked. “A miracle is praying for the impossible to happen.” I thought about this and prayed for my own miracle: that I glow forever and never go out.
Before long I noticed that the lights in the other houses were going out at various times. I wondered why for I knew they were different from me and could live forever. As I thought about this, I realized they had no more control over their fate than I. Still I thought them more beautiful than myself. That is when my master told me that my position in life was different and more important than theirs for I was of genuine nature. My master said every light had its place but mine was surrounded by prayer and that made me special. And even though there would be times my flame would be doused, I could be relit until wax and wick were gone and would become but a memory, [and] still my life was worthwhile nonetheless.
I asked my master what she was praying for and she said for her mother’s life; that her mother had cancer throughout her body and only a miracle could save her. I felt ashamed at thinking only of myself for such a minor matter as my existence for I was inanimate and my master was human in being, fashioned by love as opposed to the assembly line I was created by. And so I kept my silent vigil along with my master and prayed for that miracle my master so desperately wept for.
Some time later, a sound shattered the silence followed by my master’s loud sobbing which told me all I needed to know; that her miracle did not come. Saying a prayer for my master, I gathered all my strength and stretched my flame as high as I could and prayed for my master’s sorrow to be healed. Finally the crying ceased and all was quiet again as my master sat back down next to me by the window.
I expected to be doused now that my master’s miracle did not happen, but to my surprise, she kept me aflame. When I asked she said it was to honor her mother and that I comforted her so. I did not understand this, but I softened my light in tribute to my master’s courage in the face of this tragedy.
At dawn, I was quenched by my master’s tender breath as she left and disappeared from sight. There were no more questions to ask for solitude was my only companion and I wondered if I would ever be ablaze again. I wanted to do so much more for my master, help her in any way I could, but I was but a mere candle and could do no more than wait.
On her return, I was awakened by the heat of my destiny for three days and nights, while I silently stayed by my master’s side, giving the best illumination I could out of respect for such grief I would not come to understand until I watched my own form diminish to it’s base. I felt helpless in the face of my own demise for I would not be able to help my master anymore than I could help myself. I said my final prayer for the both of us as my flame flickered, but mostly for my master for I knew her anguish would continue long after I was gone as I also knew I was replaceable as she was not.
The final moments of my life were upon me and as my flame sputtered its last, my prayer was for my master’s kindness and love as all turned to darkness by my master’s silent tears.