Nancy’s Lantern Walk

Nancy and Helen join Dad for a lantern walk in the garden. They carry a green battery lantern along the familiar path at dusk.

Nancy switches it on, but the light in front seems dim. Helen notices a bright glow coming from the side instead.

They stop beside the gate so Dad can take a look. A large dry leaf is caught across the lantern’s front panel.

“The light is working, but the leaf is in the way,” says Dad. Nancy holds the handle while he lifts the leaf off.

A clear patch of light now falls on the path ahead. Helen points to a little snail moving slowly near the grass.

The girls wait until the snail has crossed before walking on. Dad helps them choose a spot where they can pass without touching it.

At the end of the path, Helen carries the lantern back. They notice pale flowers and long shadows that looked different in daylight.

Back at the house, Nancy switches the lantern off. “We found more than a leaf tonight,” she says, remembering the snail and the flowers.