The parade had already begun when I rushed into the town plaza carrying our family's lantern. Everyone wore bright clothes, and the smell of local food surrounded the plaza. I hurried to catch up with my family before the parade reached the church.
Everyone was smiling and singing. As I joined the procession, I remembered what my grandfather told me when I was a child. He gently handed me the lantern and said, "This lantern has been carried by our family in every fiesta for many years. Never lose it." I smiled back then, thinking it was just an old tradition.
When the parade ended, the mayor announced, "This year's oldest family lantern will receive a special award for preserving our town's culture."
I proudly held up our lantern.
Then an old woman walked toward me and smiled.
"That lantern doesn't belong to your family," she said softly.
I was shocked, She carefully opened the lantern and pointed to a faded name carved inside.
It wasn't my family's name.
Before I could ask any questions, she whispered "Come with me. I'll show you who the real owner is."
She slowly walked into the crowd
I quickly followed her.
But when I reached the end of the street, She suddenly had disappeared. Then I heard a voice behind me say.
"You've finally found uss."
YOU ARE READING
THE FIESTA LANTERN
General FictionThe Fiesta Lantern is a short story about a person who rushes to join a town fiesta parade while carrying their family's lantern. The colorful celebration reminds the narrator of a special memory with their grandfather, who once gave them the lanter...
