Leo was a little lamp, and he lived on a bedside table in a cozy room. He loved his job – helping children read before bed! But Leo wasn’t very happy. He wished he could shine as brightly as Old Man Fitzwilliam, the grand chandelier in the hallway. Old Man Fitzwilliam sparkled and shimmered, and everyone admired him.
“If only I could be big and bright like *him*,” Leo sighed, dimming his light a little. He tried to wobble and sway like the chandelier, but he just tipped over! He tried to make his light flash and sparkle, but he only flickered. He felt clumsy and sad.
A little firefly named Flicker zoomed by. Flicker noticed Leo looking glum. “What’s wrong, little lamp?” she buzzed.
“I want to be like Old Man Fitzwilliam,” Leo mumbled. “He’s so grand and everyone loves him. I’m just… a little lamp.”
Flicker blinked her light thoughtfully. “But Leo,” she said, “Old Man Fitzwilliam can’t do what *you* do! He can’t give a cozy, gentle light for reading. He’s too bright for that! You help children dream sweet dreams, and that’s very special.”
Leo had never thought of it that way. He *did* give a lovely, soft light. A little girl named Lily came into the room and switched Leo on. She picked up her favorite book about a fluffy bunny.
“Thank you, Leo,” Lily whispered, snuggling into bed. “Your light is perfect for reading.”
Leo glowed a little brighter. He realized Flicker was right. He didn’t need to be like Old Man Fitzwilliam. He was perfect just the way he was! He was Leo, the cozy bedtime lamp, and that was wonderful.
From that day on, Leo shone his own gentle light with pride. He learned that being himself was the brightest thing of all. And every night, he helped children drift off to sleep with happy thoughts, knowing he was exactly the lamp they needed.