Once upon a time, in a meadow filled with twinkling wildflowers, lived a little firefly named Flicker. Flicker loved to zoom around at night, his little light blinking brightly. But one evening, something terrible happened! Flicker blinked and blinked, but his light… wouldn’t shine. It was completely gone!
Flicker was very upset. All the other fireflies were lighting up the meadow, playing hide-and-seek amongst the tall blades of grass. He tried everything – he wiggled his bottom, he ate extra sweet nectar, he even asked Old Man Willow for advice. Nothing worked. “Oh dear,” he sighed, “What good is a firefly who can’t glow?”
He sat on a dandelion, feeling very sad, when a little glow-worm named Lumi crawled by. Lumi wasn’t a flashy firefly, but her gentle glow was warm and comforting. “What’s wrong, Flicker?” she asked kindly.
Flicker explained about his lost glow, and how he couldn’t play with the others. Lumi listened patiently. When he was finished, she said, “Your glow isn’t everything, Flicker. You’re still you! You’re a wonderful friend, and you always tell the best stories.”
Flicker hadn’t thought of that. He *did* love telling stories! He and Lumi started to chat, and Flicker began to tell her a funny tale about a clumsy bumblebee. As he spoke, he noticed something amazing. A tiny spark, a little glimmer, began to appear at the end of his bottom!
It wasn’t as bright as before, but it was *there*. Flicker realized that Lumi’s kindness and friendship had helped his glow return. He wasn’t shining as brightly as the other fireflies, but he was shining nonetheless.
He and Lumi joined the other fireflies, and Flicker told his bumblebee story. Everyone laughed, and even though his light was small, Flicker felt happier than ever. He learned that even when things are lost or different, kindness and friendship can always help you shine, in your own special way.
From that night on, Flicker continued to tell stories, and his glow grew stronger with each passing day. He understood that true brightness comes not just from how brightly you shine, but from the kindness you share with others. And as the stars twinkled above, Flicker knew that even a little light can make a big difference. Now close your eyes, little one, and dream sweet dreams, just like Flicker.