Ember and the Lantern Night

Ember whispered, “ My fire is gone.” “What if I cannot light even one lantern?” Milo said, “We have time. Come on.” Milo took Ember to the forge, where orange fire roared.

Milo said, “Breathe some in, then breathe it out.” Ember leaned close and took a deep breath in. A great black cloud of soot burst from her mouth! Milo, the blacksmith, and the cat turned black from head to toe.

The blacksmith said, “Fire is not something you borrow.” The cat left without saying one word. Outside the forge, while Milo brushed soot from his hair, Ember caught the smell of warm sugar. Ember said, “The bakery! Sticky buns make my tummy warm.”

The baker settled her beside the oven and gave her a plate of buns that had stuck together, saying, “Can’t sell those. They’re holding hands.” After four buns, Ember felt warm from her nose to her tail. Milo said, “Try now.” Ember opened her mouth: “Fff… HIC!”

Nothing came out but a hiccup. “Well,” said the baker, wrapping one last bun for them, “you might be hungry later.” Just outside the bakery, Milo said gently, “Perhaps we should ask Ashgrove.” Ember carried Milo over the river and up the mountain.

Milo called, “Ashgrove?” Nobody answered. Then Milo saw a note beneath a stone… Milo read aloud, “Gone to the hot springs to soak my knees. Back tomorrow.”

Ember breathed, “ Oh…” Under the rising moon, Ember looked down at Little Hollow and said, “I wish it were tomorrow already.” Milo broke the last bun in two, and they ate without a word. At last, Milo said, “Tell me about last year. I was at my grandmother's. I missed it.”

Ember said, “Ashgrove lit one lantern, then two, and then he sneezed.” Milo asked, “ He sneezed?” “He sneezed right over the mayor and blew his hat straight into the fountain!” "The mayor fished it out and put it straight back on, with a lily pad stuck to it!”

Milo balanced the bun wrapper on his head and announced, “Welcome to Lantern-drip-Night!” Ember’s tail uncurled as a laugh burst out. “HIC!” A bright spark popped from Ember’s nose!

Milo shouted, “Ember... a spark!” Ember laughed again and tipped her head toward the open sky… With a whoosh, a red and gold flame danced above the mountain! Ember cried, “Milo, it is back!”

As the village bell rang, Milo scrambled onto Ember’s back. Down they swept over the forest and river. Ember swooped over the bridge, lighting every lantern as people cheered from both sides. The villagers looked up.

Then Ember swept into the village square with her wings spread wide. Whoosh! the pear shaped lantern bloomed gold! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh... the lanterns around the village square shone like little suns! The mayor held tight to his hat as Ember gave him a cheerful nod.

And the whole village cheered! That night, everyone ate sticky buns and sang well into the night. “Can I ride with you again next year?” Milo asked. “Only if you bring the sticky buns,” said Ember.

The singing grew soft while one hundred lanterns rocked above them. And a tiny flame glowed on Ember’s nose all night long.