Lighthouse of Alexandria

I stand tall and proud on an island, my stone body reaching for the sky. Ships sail across the blue sea towards me, their sails like white wings. At night, I glow with a warm, bright light that guides them safely home. I am a guiding star for sailors, a friend in the dark.

A long, long time ago, a wise king named Ptolemy wanted to make his city, Alexandria, famous and safe for ships. He asked clever builders to create something amazing, a tower so tall it could be seen from far away. They gathered strong stones and worked for many years, building me layer by layer. My base was wide and strong, and I grew taller and taller, with a special mirror at my very top that could reflect the sun's rays during the day and a fire at night. I was built to help sailors find their way and to show everyone how grand Alexandria was.

For many, many years, I watched over the busy harbor. Sailors from all over the world saw my light and knew they were close to Alexandria. I was one of the tallest buildings in the world, a wonder that people traveled far to see. My light was a promise of safety and a symbol of knowledge. Though I am no longer standing, the stories of my greatness and the idea of a guiding light live on. I remind us that with clever ideas and hard work, we can create things that help others and bring wonder to the world.