There Is a Candle On the Table

It has been sitting there longer than I have lived. It is drooping because it once was lit to light the way to the bathroom, back before you or I were born, back when candles lit people's way at night. It must be this old, for it it is so droopy and dusty. I have only just come across this relic. Good thing you are with me! I would be frightened if you weren't, for it is dark. Good thing I have this lighter! Take it and light the candle. I am far too much of a coward to light it myself. Good! The candle is lit! And now I can see the way to the bathroom! Now blow on the flame and make it flicker in familiar ways. How Comforting! Pour the flames into my hands! Let us lap the flames out of my hands! How Wonderful! Let us paint each other into the walls with the flames! I can see! I can really see! And now the house is on fire! How Fun! But look at how the candle droops now! It is crying onto the floor. It wishes it was a candle that goes on a birthday cake. Birthdays are always the best! it says. And this is the most startling of all, for at this moment, the candle goes out and we are once again wandering these dark halls, wondering where the bathroom is.