Barnaby was a little troll, and not a very scary one at all. Most trolls love to grumble and stomp and hide under bridges, but Barnaby preferred collecting smooth stones and watching the stars. He lived with his family under Old Willow Bridge, but he often felt a bit…different. His brothers loved making grumpy faces, but Barnaby liked to smile. His sisters enjoyed blocking the path for travelers, but Barnaby liked to wave hello.
One evening, as the sun dipped low, Barnaby noticed something strange. Tiny flickers of light were blinking and bumping into each other, looking very confused. They were fireflies! Lots and lots of them, and they were all lost. ‘Oh dear,’ Barnaby whispered. ‘They’ve flown too far from the meadow and can’t find their way back.’
Barnaby’s brothers would have probably ignored them, or maybe even tried to catch them in jars. But Barnaby felt sorry for the little fireflies. He knew the meadow was a long way, and the forest could be dark and scary. He decided he had to help. He took a deep breath. Even though he was a little troll, and a bit shy, he knew he could be brave.
‘Hello!’ Barnaby called out, his voice a little wobbly. The fireflies blinked at him, surprised to see a troll. ‘Are you lost?’ A tiny firefly, with a particularly bright glow, zipped closer. ‘Yes!’ she blinked sadly. ‘We were playing, and the wind blew us away from the meadow. We can’t see the way back!’
Barnaby thought for a moment. He knew the forest paths very well. ‘I can help!’ he said, puffing out his chest. ‘I’ll lead you back to the meadow. Follow me!’ And so, Barnaby, the little troll, began to lead the fireflies through the forest. It was a long walk, and sometimes the path was bumpy and overgrown.
He carefully guided them around prickly bushes and over fallen logs. He even used his strong troll hands to move a few branches that were blocking the way. The fireflies blinked their thanks, their little lights dancing around him. Barnaby felt a warm glow inside – warmer than any firefly light!
Finally, after what seemed like forever, they reached the edge of the meadow. The fireflies gasped with delight. ‘There it is!’ they blinked excitedly. ‘Our home!’ They zoomed into the meadow, joining hundreds of other fireflies, their lights twinkling like stars.
The little firefly who had spoken to Barnaby flew back to him. ‘Thank you, Barnaby,’ she blinked gratefully. ‘You were so kind to help us. You’re a very special troll.’ Barnaby blushed. He had never been called ‘special’ before.
He waved goodbye to the fireflies and walked back to Old Willow Bridge, feeling happier than he had ever felt. When he told his family about his adventure, they were surprised. ‘You *helped* fireflies?’ his brother grumbled. But Barnaby just smiled. He knew that even a little troll could make a big difference, and that being kind and helpful was the best feeling in the world.
From that day on, Barnaby continued to collect smooth stones and watch the stars, but he also kept an eye out for anyone who needed help. He learned that being different wasn’t a bad thing at all, and that even trolls could be friends with fireflies. And as he drifted off to sleep under Old Willow Bridge, he dreamed of twinkling lights and happy fireflies.