In a small village nestled among rolling hills, there lived an old man named Kael. Kael was the keeper of the village lantern—a magical lantern that glowed with a warm, golden light. Every evening, he would light the lantern and place it in the center of the square. Its radiance brought comfort to the villagers, guiding them home through dark nights.

One day, a young girl named Elara approached Kael. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Why does the lantern shine so brightly, old man?”

Kael smiled. “Ah, my dear, this lantern holds a secret. It thrives on kindness. The more kindness we show, the brighter it glows.”

Elara was intrigued. “And what happens if we’re unkind?”

Kael’s eyes grew serious. “If we harbor bitterness, anger, or cruelty, the lantern dims. Darkness creeps in.”

Elara pondered this. She was a spirited girl,...