original stories · Ages 6-8

The Lighthouse Blinked Only When Sam Looked Away

Sam thinks a lighthouse is teasing him, but by trusting a friend to watch too, he learns that some wonders need shared attention.

The whole story

1. At sunset, Sam stood on the harbor wall and counted the lighthouse flashes across the sea. One bright blink. Then another.

2. He bent to tighten a loose bootlace. The light vanished. Sam looked up, and the lighthouse shone again.

3. Sam faced the lantern and held his breath. It stayed dark. He scratched his nose, and the lighthouse flashed. “Are you teasing me?” Sam asked.

4. Sam tucked the spyglass under his arm. “I need a witness,” he said. Just then, Mina came along the harbor path with her lunch pail.

5. Sam told Mina the whole story. Mina watched the lighthouse while Sam watched her. “Turn away,” Mina said. Sam trusted her and faced the sea.

6. The lighthouse blinked behind him. Mina grinned. “I saw it!” Sam spun around, but the lantern was dark again.

7. Sam wanted to see the blink for himself. Mina held up one finger. “Try again. I will watch.” Sam looked at the sea, and he did not peek. “There!” Mina cried. Sam smiled, even though the lantern was dark when he turned.

8. Together, they watched in different directions. Sam watched the silver sea while Mina watched the lighthouse. The lighthouse blinked when Sam looked away, and Mina saw it too. Sam had thought it was teasing him. Now he knew that some wonders needed two pairs of eyes.

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