From the author: Parable The lamplighter wandered through the streets of the old city and lit lanterns. He moistened the wick with oil, took the flint out of his pocket, struck a spark and... let there be light! The night, adored by bright light, pressed into the nooks and crannies. The darkness retreated, admitting its defeat. The lamplighter was dedicated to his work. There wasn't an evening that he didn't go out and do his job. In any bad weather - summer, winter, rain and cold - the city lamps always shone with an even, warm light. The city residents relied on the Lamplighter. A belated traveler, a tramp looking for a place to sleep, a hardworking master or a student who sat reading a book in the library until dark - everyone could be sure that when he went out into the street late in the evening he would not get lost in the darkness, would not go astray and would arrive home on time. The Lamplighter had an only daughter, a “later”, but beloved child. The little girl, frail for her ten years, seemed to glow from within. Filled with joy, innocence, love - young Harita warmed everyone with her radiant smile. One day, on a cold winter night, when the frost was especially strong, the Lamplighter set out, as usual, to do his good deed. As soon as he approached the first lantern, he took out the flint, and lo and behold, the flint on the flint was completely worn off! - What a fool I am! - The Lamplighter said out loud. - And I didn’t really look at the fact that the flint was not at all suitable! Now I have to go back home and get something else. Okay, I didn't go far. And the Lamplighter trudged home. But you need to know that the Night Darkness had its own accomplices - thieves and robbers. And so one of the gangs of thieves, having conceived an evil deed, decided to steal all the Lamplighter’s flints. After all, it is easier to do evil deeds in the dark. The Lamplighter returned home, but there was not a single flint! The old man was in despair! - How so? What to do now? - he became worried. - In such frost it is impossible not to light the lanterns! People believe me. And wandering on such a night and cold can turn into an irreparable disaster. The death of several people will be on my conscience at once! Kharita approached him, took her father’s hand and looked into his eyes with her radiant eyes. “Take my fire, father,” said the girl, “and give it to the people!” Before the Lamplighter had time to answer her, how Kharita grabbed the lamp, pressed it tightly to her chest and gave all her fire to the lamp. The lamplighter took the lamp and went out into the street. Soon the whole city was, as usual, illuminated with bright lights. And Kharita’s eyes have dimmed since then. She walked around the city as a pale shadow, knowing neither peace nor joy. Many years passed. The old Lamplighter died. Nothing was known about Harita's fate. Electricity was installed in the city, and now there was no need and no one to go around the city to make it brighter at night. However, old-timers said that in ancient times, the lanterns shone more welcomingly and warmly.