逆流而上的光

For three nights, the lantern stayed quiet. On the fourth night, heavy rain struck the village, and the river began to rise. Mei noticed that the green light pointed upstream instead of shining in every direction. Her mother believed it was a warning from the river spirits. Several ferry ropes snapped, and frightened families began moving food and blankets to the highest houses near the hill.

Mei decided to follow the light in their small boat. Because of the storm, she could barely see the banks. The lantern led to a broken tree across the water. Behind it, branches and stones were forming a wall. If the wall broke all at once, a sudden wave would attack the village below.