Luna was a little firefly who lived in a meadow filled with sleepy wildflowers. Every night, Luna would blink her light, a tiny spark against the big, dark sky. She loved watching the stars twinkle, especially a little star named Shimmer. Shimmer was usually the brightest star of all, but tonight, Shimmer’s light was very dim.
Luna zipped over to Shimmer. “What’s wrong?” she blinked worriedly. Shimmer sighed, a tiny puff of stardust. “I’ve lost my sparkle,” she whispered. “I tried to shine extra bright for a little boy who was feeling sad, and I used up all my shimmer! Now I just feel…dull.”
Luna thought for a moment. She was just a little firefly, but she wanted to help. “Maybe,” she said, “you need a friend to remind you how wonderful you are!” Luna began to blink her light faster and faster, making little patterns in the sky. She blinked hearts and swirls and even a tiny picture of Shimmer herself.
Other fireflies noticed Luna’s bright display and joined in! Soon, the whole meadow was twinkling with firefly lights, all dancing around Shimmer. “Look!” cried a firefly named Flicker. “Your light is reflecting off all our sparkles!”
Shimmer looked down and gasped. She *was* glowing brighter! Not as bright as before, but a gentle, warm shimmer was returning. “It’s…it’s working!” she exclaimed. “Your kindness is helping me remember how special I am.”
Luna smiled. “You are special, Shimmer! You shine for others, and that’s the most important sparkle of all. Even when you feel a little dim, you still have so much light to share.”
Slowly, as Luna and the fireflies continued to blink their encouragement, Shimmer’s sparkle grew stronger and stronger. Soon, she was twinkling just as brightly as ever. She thanked Luna and all the fireflies for their help.
“Remember, Shimmer,” Luna said, yawning a little firefly yawn. “Even stars need a little help sometimes.” Shimmer winked, her light shining down on the sleepy meadow. And as Luna blinked her own light one last time, she knew that even the smallest spark of kindness could make the biggest difference. Now close your eyes, little one, and let your own sparkle shine bright as you drift off to sleep.