The Candle That Burned Time

In a Paris flea market, a small shopkeeper sold candles that supposedly “borrowed time.” Each hour it burned gave the buyer one more day of life — taken from someone else.

A widow bought one to outlive her grief. She watched the flame every night as it shimmered blue, each flicker costing someone’s tomorrow. When it finally went out, her doorbell rang.

A stranger stood there, eyes hollow, whispering:

“You borrowed mine.”