Lightning in a Bottle

​A driver traveling down the highway, flicked his cigarette butt out of the window.

It was an unconscious action, only a force of habit, since he would not want the smoulder to burn a hole in his seat.

Of course, also being unconscious of the general climate in the area, he did not realize that the two months without rain, other than an electrical storm last night, made perfect conditions for wildfires.

Lo and behold an ember from his flicked cigarette met the right conditions amongst some leaves….

Getting ready for the day the next morning he turns on the news and gets the news that a forest fire is starting to rage out of control in his area.

He thinks nothing much of it other than listening to and delays or further instructions the anchors give, but he perks up when they report that the firefighters were able to pinpoint the exact time and place where the fire originated…

“Reports say the wildfire was started by a lit cigarette at around 3:00 pm yesterday afternoon.”

His heart immediately sank into his stomach.

He got into his car and drove as fast as he can to that place.

Of course well before he got there, he came to the safety barricade.

He motioned to one of the men, and in a move a supreme guilt-ridden confession, confessed that he started the fire himself.

“Oh was that you? Well, learn to be more careful next time. Instead of taking you downtown though, we have an extra suit in the back…”

...you’re gonna help finish what you started…

It took over a week, but afterwards the fire was completely out.

The culprit felt such a relief knowing that he truly absolved himself of his crime, and left with the confidence gained from his hardwork and teamwork.

But just as he was leaving, the fireman said his goodbyes…

“Let’s just hope lightning doesn’t strike twice next time.”

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