Happy Days Stories

Many years ago Tad, his father and mother lived on a lonely island.   All around were rough seas and dangerous rocks.  They lived in a tiny cottage next to the lighthouse.  His father was the lighthouse keeper and he had to make sure the great light shone out each night to warn ships to keep well away from the rocks.

One stormy day Tad's father fell ill.  He lay tossing on his bed with a high fever while the wind blew and heavy rain fell.  "The storm is getting worse," said Mother as the wind blew even harder and whistled around the eves of their house.  It grew dark as thick clouds filled the sky.

Tad looked out of the window and saw tremendous waves lashing the rocks around the lighthouse.  His mother joined him and as she peered out, she noticed that the lighthouse light was out.  Just then she exclaimed, "Is that a ship's horn?"  Tad listened for a moment and replied excitedly, "It is, and it seems to be close inshore near those jagged rocks!"  His mother looked worried and urged him, "Quick, go and check on your father.  Tad ran and then shouted, "It's no use, Mother, Father is too sick!"

His mother thought for a moment.  If she went to turn on the light, who would look after the sick man?  "You will have to go and light the lamp," she decided, "I must look after your father."  Tad looked scared, "But, there are so many stairs to climb and you know I'm afraid of heights!"  His mother looked at her small boy and they were startled as at that moment a loud blast came from the ship's horn.

"Son," she cried, "You must run!  If we delay any longer that ship will be wrecked on the rocks!"  Tad grabbed his raincoat and ran to the door.  He struggled against the wind to push it open.   Outside he could see nothing.  He battled against the fierce wind and had to hold onto rocks as it threatened to blow him off his feet.  Lightning flashed and crashed all around, blinding him with its brilliant light.

He heard the horn again and struggled on as fast as he could.  "I must get there in time, Lord," he whispered, "Or many people will die in those huge seas."  At last he came to the lighthouse and swung open the door.  "Now I must climb all two hundred and fifty stairs to top!   Please God, help me climb and not be scared."  He felt his way up the curving metal stairs.  He held onto the guide rope as he climbed up and up.

He dared not look down to the floor far below him.  "If I slip," he thought, "I will fall all the way down!"  Eventually he came to the trapdoor that led out to the lamp platform.  He crawled out and found himself slipping!  He cried out in fear as he slid towards the edge of the platform, but at the last second he was able to grab onto the guard rail around the platform.  He felt faint and held on with all his strength.  "Whew!" he shouted, "I was nearly a gonna!"

Tad pulled himself upright and gasped, "I must clean the dirty lens of the lamp."  He polished the glass with his shirt and then primed the lamp with paraffin and lit the wick.  At last the flame flared up and his heart stopped thumping as the light beam shone out over the wild waves.

He started to turn the handle to revolve the light - but it was hard work.  The handle was stiff and it was hard to turn because he was so small.  As the light slowly revolved, he saw the faint outline of a ship far below.  It was dangerously close to the jagged rocks!   He held his breath and just when he thought the ship would strike the rocks, it made a violent turn away from the rocks - they were safe!

He wiped away the sweat from his brow and grimly carried on turning the handle.  "Please God help me, I'm so tired!" he cried after two hours of heavy work.  It needed all his strength just to keep the light revolving.  He stayed the whole night turning the light until the dawn.  As it grew brighter, the storm died away and all was quiet.



Some time later, footsteps sounded below and came up the stairs.  His mother reached the top and found her exhausted son fast asleep on the platform.  "Son," she called shaking him by the shoulder, "Your father has woken up and is much better!"  She helped a very tired small boy down the steps and guided him to his bedroom.  She lifted him onto the bed and covered him with a blanket.  And there he lay until nightfall.

That night after a huge supper, Tad climbed up the steps again.  He was no longer afraid of the height.  God had helped him, and that night he thanked God as he turned the handle of the light.  And you know, he proudly kept the lighthouse going until his father recovered!

Some months later he was excited when a company ship drew near and anchored offshore.  The sailors let down a boat and held it alongside the ship as two men were lowered into it.  Soon the sailors were rowing strongly towards the island.  They came alongside the landing steps and the two men stepped out.  Tad's father shouted, "Come here, Tad.  It's the managers from the shipping company!"

They greeted the men as they climbed ashore.  "Where's the young man who prevented the shipwreck?" asked the first man.  "Here he is," said Tad's father with a great big smile as he pushed his small son forward.  "Son," said the second manager, "We are proud of you, and we have a special award for you!"  Tad's eyes gleamed as they pinned a medal onto his chest for his bravery.

The medal was gold and it shone in the sunlight.  It had a picture of a lighthouse and the words, "Keeper of the Light" on it.  He was so proud and if you ever visited that island, he would show it to you.  And then he would tell you the story of how God helped him to save a great ship and conquer his fear of heights.  He would run up the two hundred and fifty steps and point to the handle that turned the great light.

Little Tad learnt to trust God when he needed help to climb those many steps to the top of the lighthouse.  He also needed to be brave when his father was so ill.  God helped him find the strength to turn the heavy light all night.  Through these he overcame his fear of heights.

God wants to help each one of His children overcome all their fears.   Are you willing to let God help you get rid of those fears?  Let's say a prayer and ask God to take away all your fears.  He will, and you can ask God to let you feel His presence and his love whenever you start to feel afraid again.

God bless!