The Lighthouse

People also use a variety of devices to communicate (send and receive information) over long distances. 

 

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“Grandpa, Grandpa, wait for me,” the young girl shouted.

There were almost 300 stairs to go up.

Grandpa has made this climb many times in his life.

The young girl hurried to keep up.

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It is a long climb to the top of the lighthouse.

The view from the top made the trip worth it.

“Wow!”

The young girl exclaimed as her grandpa grinned.

 

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Her grandpa used to work at the lighthouse.

Now he is retired.

He explained, “This was a very important job.”

It was his job to keep all the ships safe. 

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In front of them stood the giant lamp.

The lamp was ringed with lenses.

The lenses, called Fresnel lenses, focused the light’s beam.

The beam could be seen from far away.

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On special nights, they still turn it on.

It’s a bit of history.

Ships needed lighthouses to stay safe.

Lighthouses helped ships stay safe.

Ships can’t get too close to shore.

Getting into shallow water might damage the ship.

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Ships also have lights on them.

This helps them see each other.

Ports can be a busy place.

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“What if it was foggy?” the young girl asked.

The ships would blow their big horns.

Other ships could hear each other.

They used the sound instead of light. 

“It wasn’t perfect,” Grandpa exclaimed, “but it was all we

had.”

“It’s not all that different today,” Grandpa explained.

“Cars still use lights at night.

Lights keep cars safe.

Cars also have horns.

The horns get other drivers attention.

What can I say, things haven’t changed that much,” Grandpa

said.

Her grandpa used to work at the lighthouse.

Now he is retired.

He explained, “This was a very important job.”

It was his job to keep all the ships safe.

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