The old lighthouse stood on a high cliff. It was made of thick, white stone. Liam was the keeper. He lived there alone. Every evening, he turned on the huge lamp. The bright light shone far out over the dark sea.
One cold Tuesday, the wind was very strong. Liam was cleaning the glass. He saw something strange in the water. It was not a boat. It was a large metal box. The box was floating close to the rocks.
Liam waited for the storm to stop. In the morning, the sea was calm. He went down the winding steps to the beach. The metal box was on the sand. It was heavy, and it had no lock.
Liam pushed the lid open. Inside, there were many small, round glass balls. They were the colour of the sun. They did not look important, just pretty. Liam took one ball and closed the box. He put the box high on a rock. He walked back to the lighthouse.
Later, Liam sat at his table. He looked at the glass ball. He thought about the sea and the box. He dropped the ball by accident. It did not break. Instead, a little tune, like music, came from it. The sound was very soft, like a tiny bell.
Liam listened closely. The music was a message! It was a warning about a big ship sailing too near the rocks. Liam quickly ran up the steps. He changed the rhythm of the lighthouse beam. He flashed the light quickly, then slowly. This was the signal for danger.
The ship saw the signal. It turned away just in time. The next morning, a small helicopter arrived. A man with a uniform got out. He came inside and smiled.
“You saved the ship, keeper,” the man said. “That box was an old communication device. The glass balls were message recorders. Thank you for listening.”
Liam smiled. He was not just a light keeper now. He was a hero. He knew his small, lonely life on the cliff was very important.
Vocabulary Notes
Lighthouse
Definition: A tall building or tower on the coast (the edge of the sea) or on an island, that has a powerful light at the top. Its job is to warn ships about dangerous rocks or shallow water.
Example: “The old lighthouse stood on a high cliff.”
Similar Words (Synonyms): Beacon, signal tower, navigational aid.
Context Note: The person who works and lives in a lighthouse is called a keeper (like Liam in the story).
Cliff
Definition: A high area of rock or earth with a very steep side, often found next to the sea.
Example: “The old lighthouse stood on a high cliff.”
Similar Words (Synonyms): Edge, bluff, precipice (more formal/advanced).
Context Note: To be on a cliff means you are at the top edge. To be at the foot of a cliff means you are at the bottom, near the beach.
Communication
Definition: The process of sharing information, thoughts, or feelings with someone else. This can be done by speaking, writing, or using signals.
Example: “That box was an old communication device.”
Similar Words (Synonyms): Conversation, message, signalling, transmission.
Context Note: A device is a piece of equipment (like a phone or a radio) used for a specific purpose. A communication device sends or receives messages.
Warning
Definition: A statement, sign, or signal that tells someone about a possible danger, problem, or unpleasant event. It advises caution.
Example: “The music was a message! It was a warning about a big ship sailing too near the rocks.”
Similar Words (Synonyms): Alert, caution, signal, notice.
Usage Tip: You can give a warning or receive a warning. If you ignore a warning, you might face a problem!
Stone
Definition: The hard, solid, non-metallic mineral matter that rocks are made of. It is used for building, like concrete or marble.
Example: “It was made of thick, white stone.”
Similar Words (Synonyms): Rock, boulder, masonry (when talking about building materials).
Context Note: This word is used as a material. Buildings, statues, and walls are often made of stone.
Story written by Gemini AI.
Image created by Gemini AI.
CC Music: Drifting at 432 Hz – Unicorn Heads.
Reading Short Stories/Content for English Learners 
Leave a comment