If there is hope, there will always be a future

Max had been walking for two days when he finally spotted someone. In the evening, in the middle of the field, he saw a young man who was sitting on the ground and was crying. In front of him there was a pile of coals. He went next to him and set down.

"Hello! What happened? Why do you look so sad?"

The young man erased his tears and answered, "My name is Tom. I will share my experience of sadness with you. Yesterday, during my travels, I came across a small tree amidst the untamed wilderness. I sat next to it, and I decided to rest, and I thought, "How small it is, even if that makes me shadow. I snuggled under its crown and slept peacefully. After an hour, I woke up and felt that my stomach was gurgling from hunger. Then, I noticed that there were fruits hanging from the branches. I plucked them and ate them. The evening came, and it got colder. I didn't have any warm clothes on and felt trapped, so I decided to start a fire to avoid freezing in the evening. I quickly built a small tree out of matchwood, burning it to a high temperature before going to sleep. I woke up the next morning. The sun was shining brightly, and my stomach was once again rumbling with hunger. However, the tree that had shielded me from the sun and provided me with food was no longer there. At that moment, I came to understand the consequences of my actions. I had to reflect on the ways in which the shadow had aided me and provided me with delicious fruits. I had to understand that every next person who found him would also help that person, so I destroyed it. How reckless I was. A person who lacks self-control and acts solely to satisfy their own needs harms others."

Max took a brad from its bag and two pieces of dried meat; he gave him the half of it. He also had an extra shirt, which he gifted to the young man as a present. After they finished their meal, he told the young man, "While you cannot change the past, you can focus on the future. When you realized the mistake, you took a huge step ahead. Therefore, you have the right to fight. Try to achieve something important for you that will be beneficial for others. Make a goal and work on achieving it. Once you reach your goal, you will plant numerous trees and be able to assist others who are similar to you. I will tell you one parable; you make your own conclusions.

They were quietly and calmly lighting three candles in a room.

All their conversations, even the cracking of their flames, were audible in the silence. "I am peace," said the first one. "Regrettably, individuals are unable to rescue me. They cannot save me. They are incapable of valuing me, nor do they strive for my well-being. I believe they have nothing left for me, and I must let go. It just motioned, and it lit out.

The second candle says, "My name is Faith. However, it appears that my presence is also unnecessary. People seem disinterested in my presence. That is why there is no point to burn, and it also lighted out.

The third one said sadly, "I am Love, but I do not have strength to burn more. People avoid me, and they tend to forget me. They lack the ability to both give and receive love." The third candle also lighted out.

At this moment, a child entered the room. Upon noticing that three candles remained unlit, the child began to yell. "But what are you doing? Why are you not lighting up? I'm afraid of the dark."

The fourth candle, whose flame glowed in the darkness, began to speak in a nervous tone, "Do not be afraid. Do not cry. Until I ignite, you have the opportunity to illuminate other candles. I am hope. Until hope exists, there will always be a future. Now, go to sleep knowing that tomorrow we will continue with the hope for your future.