The Crimson Candle

Story Summary
In "The Crimson Candle," a dying man asks his wife to swear she will not remarry while a blessed crimson candle, symbolizing their love and fidelity, remains lit. After his death, she honors her vow by holding the candle at his funeral until it completely burns out, illustrating the depth of her devotion. This uplifting moral story serves as a poignant reminder of love and commitment, making it a perfect short bedtime story with moral lessons for young readers and moral stories for class 7.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates the themes of loyalty and sacrifice, emphasizing that true love often involves enduring commitment and honoring promises, even beyond death.
Historical Context
This story draws from themes found in various folktales and legends about love, fidelity, and the supernatural, reminiscent of European romantic traditions and the moral tales common in the Middle Ages. It echoes the cultural significance of candles in religious and ceremonial contexts, often symbolizing faith and remembrance, and can be likened to stories from authors like the Brothers Grimm or the moralistic tales of Aesop, where loyalty and sacrifice are central themes. Variants of this narrative also appear in different cultures, reflecting universal values surrounding marriage and fidelity.
Our Editors Opinion
This story emphasizes the themes of love, loyalty, and the burdens of promises made in relationships, which remain relevant in modern life as we navigate the complexities of commitment and fidelity. For instance, a partner may remain devoted to their deceased spouse's memory, refraining from dating or remarrying out of respect, even as they grapple with their own desires for companionship, illustrating the emotional weight of promises and the impact of love on personal choices.
You May Also Like

The Man and the Wooden God
In this timeless moral story, a man frustrated by his persistent bad luck repeatedly prays to a wooden idol inherited from his father, but his pleas go unanswered. In a fit of rage, he destroys the idol, only to discover it hid a vast amount of coins inside, revealing that his luck was intricately tied to the very object he sought help from. This tale serves as a wisdom-packed reminder that sometimes, our fortunes are hidden in the places we least expect.

The Gamecocks and the Partridge
In this fable story with moral, a man introduces a tame Partridge to his two aggressive Gamecocks, who initially distress the newcomer with their hostility. However, upon witnessing the Gamecocks fighting each other, the Partridge realizes that their aggression is not personal, leading to a valuable lesson about not taking others' actions to heart. This short moral story highlights the importance of understanding that conflicts often stem from nature rather than individual intent.

His Fly-Speck Majesty
In "His Fly-Speck Majesty," a Distinguished Advocate of Republican Institutions eagerly awaits the arrival of the King of the Fly-Speck Islands while wading in the ocean, despite having previously denounced kings as blood-smeared oppressors in a public speech. When questioned by the Spectator about his apparent hypocrisy, he dismisses the concerns as irrelevant, claiming to have spoken of kings in the abstract. This small moral story echoes famous fables with moral lessons, highlighting the complexities of ideals versus personal ambitions in the pursuit of uplifting narratives.
Related Collections
Other names for this story
The Scarlet Oath, The Blessed Flame, Candle of Fidelity, Crimson Vow, Eternal Light, The Final Promise, Love’s Last Candle, The Sacred Flame
Did You Know?
This story explores the themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, highlighting how a promise made in the face of death can shape the course of one's life, as the woman’s unwavering commitment is symbolized by the burning crimson candle that signifies her devotion and fidelity even after her husband's passing.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.