Flicker was a little firefly with a very bright light. Brighter, he thought, than any other firefly in the whole meadow. He loved his light. He loved to zip and zoom through the tall grass, leaving a sparkling trail behind him. He especially loved showing off his brilliant glow to the other fireflies.
One night, Flicker noticed a tiny, lost baby bird huddled under a leaf, chirping sadly. The bird was so small, and the night was so dark. Flicker felt a little pang in his tummy. He felt sorry for the little bird.
He zipped closer, his light dancing around the bird. The bird peeped up, its tiny eyes wide with wonder at Flicker's bright glow. Flicker thought, 'I could just show off my light, like I usually do. But that wouldn't help the baby bird.'
Instead of showing off, Flicker gently hovered near the bird, his light shining softly, just enough to keep the bird warm and safe. He stayed there for a long time, comforting the tiny creature with his gentle light.
Soon, the mama bird arrived, chirping happily. She saw her baby safe and sound, and she looked at Flicker with gratitude. She chirped a soft thank you, her eyes shining in the firefly's light.
Flicker felt a warmth spread through him, even warmer than his own bright light. It felt wonderful to help someone else. He realized that sharing his light wasn't just about showing off; it was about making others happy and feeling good himself.
From that night on, Flicker still loved showing off his light, but he also made sure to use it to help others. He guided lost insects back to their homes, and lit the way for little animals who were afraid of the dark. He learned that the best way to shine was to share his light with everyone.
And as he flew through the meadow, leaving a sparkling trail of kindness behind him, he knew that his light was brighter than ever before, not just because of its glow, but because of the warmth it brought to the hearts of others. It was a beautiful feeling, and it helped him sleep soundly every night.