Lanterns on the River
Every autumn, the villagers of Oakhaven released paper lanterns onto the surface of the slow-moving river, carrying wishes written in ink to ancestors long gone. Clara stood on the wooden dock, holding a lantern crafted from dried leaves and rice paper, her heart heavy with unspoken grief. She had spent the entire year wrestling with the sudden departure of her dearest companion, unsure how to move forward alone. As she gently set the lantern afloat, a sudden gust of wind caught it, spinning it dangerously close to the rocky bank before guiding it safely into the current. Watching the tiny flame drift into the distant darkness, Clara finally found the quiet release she desperately needed.
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