The Whispering Candle

A small red candle sat on the mantel every December. No one remembered lighting it,

but it always burned. When the house felt too quiet, the flame grew brighter. When the wind howled,

it stayed calm. On Christmas Eve, the child heard whispering near the fireplace.

Soft, warm voices telling old stories. The candle flickered wildly.

The child moved closer—and the whispering stopped. That night, the flame burned

all the way down. In the morning, the candle was gone. But the house felt warmer than ever.

Every December after, a new candle appeared— and the house never felt lonely again.