The Night of the Storm

A week later, the storm came.

It began in the evening with black clouds piling up on the horizon. Then a powerful wind blew up and howled around the lighthouse like a hungry wolf: hoooooo... hoooooo... The waves rose higher and higher until they were crashing against the rock and spraying water on the windows of the little cottage.

"The fishing boats are still out," said his father, pulling on his raincoat. "They left before the storm began. Tonight, our light has to be stronger than on any other night."

They climbed to the top together, and his father switched on the great lamp. The golden beam swept out across the raging waves.

But an hour later, lightning struck the sea close to the rock: CRAAAACK! The whole lighthouse shook, the electric lamp flickered... and went out.