1Clara had grown up all her life in the lonely lighthouse on the windswept cliffs of Greyhaven.
2Her father had patiently taught her every single detail of keeping the great lamp burning.
3When he fell ill one bitter winter, she took over his duties without any hesitation.
4On the wildest night of the whole year, the lamp's old mechanism suddenly and completely failed.
5Through the driving rain, Clara could clearly see a large ship drifting helplessly towards the rocks.
6She remembered her father's words about the old oil lamp hidden in the dark cellar.
7Fighting against the howling wind, she carried it up the two hundred narrow and winding steps.
8Her hands bled as she lit the fragile flame, but at long last the great light finally blazed.
9The great ship turned away from the jagged rocks only a few moments before certain disaster.
10The next day, the grateful captain climbed the steep hill to thank his unknown saviour.
11He was utterly astonished to find a young girl of only seventeen standing quietly at the door.
12Clara simply replied that her father had always taught her the sea forgives absolutely no one.