Once upon a time, in a meadow filled with twinkling wildflowers, lived a little firefly named Flicker. But Flicker didn't twinkle very well. His light was very, very dim. All the other fireflies zoomed around, flashing bright green lights, but Flicker’s light was just a tiny, pale yellow.
He tried and tried to shine brighter. He ate extra dewdrops, he practiced wiggling his bottom, but nothing seemed to work. He felt sad and wished he could shine like the others. He often hid amongst the tall blades of grass, afraid someone would laugh.
One night, Old Man Willow, the wisest tree in the meadow, noticed Flicker hiding. He gently rustled his leaves and called out, “Little one, why do you hide your light?”
Flicker explained, “My light isn’t bright enough. It’s not like the others. They’re so sparkly and I’m… just dim.”
Old Man Willow smiled. “But Flicker,” he said, “your light is *special*. It’s a gentle, warm glow. It’s perfect for lighting the way for sleepy bumblebees and helping lost caterpillars find their way home.”
Flicker had never thought of that before! He flew out from the grass and, with a little flutter, he blinked his tiny light. A little bumblebee, just waking up from a nap, saw his gentle glow and buzzed happily towards it.
“Thank you, little firefly!” the bumblebee said. “Your light is just what I needed to find my way back to the hive.”
Flicker’s heart glowed even brighter than his light. He realized Old Man Willow was right. He didn’t need to be the brightest firefly; he just needed to be *himself*. He flew around the meadow, using his gentle light to help others.
The other fireflies noticed how happy Flicker was, and they didn’t laugh at all. They admired his kindness and the special way his light helped those who needed a soft glow. They even flew alongside him, creating a beautiful, twinkling pattern of bright and gentle lights.
From that night on, Flicker wasn’t afraid to shine. He knew that even a small light could make a big difference, and that being different was something to celebrate. And as he blinked his gentle light, he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of all the sleepy bumblebees and lost caterpillars he would help tomorrow.