1For thirty long years, Elias had kept the lighthouse on the northern point through every winter storm.
2When the government announced that the light would become automatic, he did not say a word.
3He simply packed his belongings into two wooden boxes and cleaned the lamp one final time.
4On his last evening, a violent storm broke over the dark water without any warning.
5The new automatic light failed within an hour, and the sea swallowed the beam completely.
6Elias lit the old oil lamp by hand, just as his father had taught him.
7All night he climbed the stairs again and again to keep the flame alive against the wind.
8At dawn, a fishing boat reached the harbour safely with three exhausted men on board.
9The grateful fishermen came up the hill to thank him, carrying bread, cheese and wine.
10The council quietly changed its decision, and the old lighthouse kept its keeper after all.
11Elias hung his old oil lamp beside the new machine, where it still hangs today.