Once upon a time, there lived a little boy named Timmy. He lived in the edge of the woods in a place far far away, all alone with his father. They relied on hunting to survive.
Timmy was only five, so he was naturally fascinated about everything. One day, his father decided to show him how to start a fire. After all, when you survive in the wilderness, fire is the most important thing you need to get by.
Dad: "It's simple Timmy, you first put a bunch of dry leaves and branches in a small pile. Then you just take this flint and strike it against this other metal piece. This generates sparks which if your bunch of dry stuff catches it, will immediately start a fire. Then you have to add in bigger pieces of wood to keep it going."
Timmy: "Wow Dad, that sounds like alot of work just for a little fire!"
Dad: "It may start little, but it can grow till REALLY really big! Don't underestimate fire!"
So Timmy's father let him try his hand at starting a fire. After numerous attempts, Timmy finally managed to get it going.
Timmy: "Wow!! Dad!! Look look! The fire is really strong!"
Dad: "That's right, when it first starts off, it's going to be really strong and big. But quick! Add more wood, or it will die off quickly!"
Timmy does as his father says, tossing it pieces of lumber. However, he tosses it a piece of wet one, and the fire sizzles.
PSSTTT.
Dad: "Careful Timmy!" and pulls back Timmy back as the sparks fly and the fire dances and threatens to go out. "Be careful what you throw into the fire Timmy! You throw the wrong thing and it will go out! Worst of all, you may get hurt!"
Timmy nods as his father steps in and quickly adds some pieces of dry wood to get the fire going.
Dad: "You may see the fire sputter and flicker, but that's just part of it. As long as you keep adding wood, it will keep going."
Timmy: "I really like the fire Dad!! It looks really nice!"
Dad: "That's right, fire is one of the most powerful things in nature. You must be careful with it though."
Timmy's father went off to do some hunting while Timmy stared and admired the fire. He also diligently added pieces of lumber to it, and if he forgot to, the fire would start simmering down and sputter and he immediately remembered.
After some time, Timmy's father came back with a dead deer for dinner, but found Timmy playing with stones instead.
Dad: "What's the matter Timmy? Don't like the fire anymore?"
Timmy: "Yea it got boring! After it burns for so long, it seems to be getting smaller too!"
Dad: "Yea, as the original source of lumber gets used up, the fire may become smaller. Weren't you very interested and excited about it earlier?"
Timmy: "Yes I was Dad, but now I don't seem to see why it was so fascinating anymore! It doesn't seem very interesting now..."
Dad: "Well Timmy, if you want it to go out, you can just stop adding firewood to it, and it will burn out rather quickly if noone adds anything to it. But remember, we NEED fire, especially to cook this deer!"
Timmy went off to fetch some water to boil the deer meat in, and when he came back, he noticed the fire was burning brighter than before.
Timmy: "Hey look Dad! It looks the same as when it started off now!! Wow!"
Dad: "So you like it now? " -scratches head-
Timmy: "Yea! It is dancing and flickering like when I first got it started! That's what got me excited in the first place! Can I add more firewood Dad?"
Dad: "Sure you can Timmy. Remember Timmy, don't neglect it, or it will die out."
Timmy: "Yes Dad! I will! But I hope it remains as cool as it is now!"
And Timmy learns the importance of fire, and grows up to be a fine huntsman, and they live happily ever after.
Until a fire one day burns down their house and they all die ktnxbai.
