The candle in the wind

 


The Candle in the Wind: A Modern Parable About Integrity

Exploring the Parable/Moral Tale Short Story Genre
By Faraz Parvez (pen name of Professor Dr. Arshad Afzal)

What Is a Parable or Moral Tale?

In the vast landscape of short story genres, the parable or moral tale stands tall as a timeless form of storytelling that transcends cultures, epochs, and philosophies. Rooted in ancient oral traditions and religious scriptures, parables are short, didactic stories that convey a universal truth or lesson—usually about morality, ethics, or human behavior.

Unlike overtly complex narratives, a parable is deceptively simple. The characters are often archetypes, the plot straightforward, and the symbolism rich. From the Parables of Jesus in the New Testament to Panchatantra tales of ancient India, the aim remains the same: to deliver a deep truth through an easily graspable tale.

In today’s digital world, where morality is often diluted by expediency, the parable still burns like a lone candle in a storm. And it is this very metaphor that inspires our story today.

A Modern Parable: “The Candle in the Wind”

In a bustling city where steel towers touched the sky and ambition buzzed louder than traffic, lived a humble watch repairman named Yusuf. He worked in a cramped, dim-lit shop nestled between a high-end coffee bar and a neon-lit fashion outlet. His sign simply read:

“Time Mender. Honest Repairs Since 1985.”

People rarely noticed it.

One afternoon, a sharply dressed executive named Kamran stormed into Yusuf’s shop. He held a vintage Rolex in his hand, a family heirloom. Its minute hand had jammed, frozen between numbers like time itself had paused.

“I need this fixed in two hours,” Kamran barked. “It’s priceless.”

Yusuf took the watch delicately and nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

He placed it on his workbench and began the delicate surgery. As he dismantled the inner gears, he found the problem—one that required a specific spring that hadn’t been manufactured in over a decade. Kamran’s watch wasn’t fixable in a few hours.

Just then, an old customer entered. An elderly woman named Bibi Fatima, who came every few months to fix her late husband’s pocket watch. As Yusuf greeted her warmly, Kamran returned, impatient and furious.

“Well?” he asked.

Yusuf explained the situation calmly, offering to source the spring and promising it could be repaired within two weeks.

Kamran’s eyes narrowed. “You think I can’t pay? Here’s ten thousand. I want it working today. I don’t care how.”

Yusuf looked down at the money, then at the watch, then back at Kamran.

“I could replace the mechanism with a fake one. It would tick. But it wouldn’t be your watch anymore. Just an illusion.”

Kamran scoffed. “What does it matter? As long as it works.”

Yusuf slid the money back toward Kamran.

“It matters to me.”

Kamran left, red-faced and muttering.

Bibi Fatima watched silently and then smiled. “Still the same Yusuf. Even when the wind howls, you stay lit.”

Yusuf chuckled. “A candle doesn’t argue with the storm. It just keeps burning.”

And so, in a world spinning faster than second hands, Yusuf’s integrity ticked on—one honest repair at a time.

Why This Story Matters

“The Candle in the Wind” isn’t just a tale—it’s a parable reflecting the quietly profound power of integrity in modern life. While the world demands speed, performance, and compromise, the parable reminds us that moral clarity doesn’t fade; it just needs a storyteller to light the flame.

Final Thoughts for Our Readers

Parables and moral tales may seem like relics of religious texts or children’s bedtime stories, but they remain vital tools in the literary arsenal. As we continue our journey through the genres of short stories, the parable teaches us that truth doesn’t need embellishment—it only needs a voice.

In upcoming blogs, we will explore other types of short stories—each with their own magic, message, and method. Stay with us as we unfold new narrative forms, and maybe inspire you to write one of your own.

Stay Connected with Faraz Parvez (Prof. Dr. Arshad Afzal)
For more inspirational stories, literary analysis, and writing tips:
Blog: farazparvez1.blogspot.com
Email: arshadafzal2001@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @DrArshadAfzal1


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