Lily loved bedtime. Not just any bedtime, but *reading* bedtime. Her favorite part was when her grandma, a warm and gentle reader, would sit beside her, her voice like soft, sweet honey.
Tonight, the stories were about a little firefly named Flicker who dreamed of twinkling amongst the stars. Flicker was very shy, and he struggled to fly high. He wished to share his light with the whole meadow, not just a small patch of flowers.
Grandma read with such kindness, emphasizing Flicker's desire for greatness. She also patiently pointed out how Flicker was bravely growing each night, his wings growing stronger with practice.
Lily imagined Flicker, tiny and fragile, yet determined to reach the stars. She imagined the vast, dark night sky dotted with countless twinkling stars. She imagined Flicker making a wish on a shooting star.
Grandma told of how even the smallest firefly could make a difference. Each twinkling light made the meadow a brighter place.
As Grandma read, Lily felt her worries melt away. She imagined herself as a great explorer, going on adventures with Flicker. She listened intently, her eyes shining.
Flicker practiced all day, soaring ever so slightly higher each day. Lily's imagination painted pictures of a thousand fireflies lighting up the entire meadow. She noticed how kind Flicker was to the other insects and how much he helped them with his light.
Lily closed her eyes, feeling the gentle rocking of her rocking chair, her heart filled with happiness. As the last word of the story faded, she snuggled in her bed, dreaming of twinkling fireflies and brave explorers.
Lily realized she could be kind and brave in her own life. Just like Flicker, she could make small acts of kindness big. She remembered how her grandma's gentle voice was a warm comfort.
Tomorrow, she would look for ways to spread a little light, just like Flicker. With a smile, Lily drifted off to sleep, feeling the kindness and patience of her grandma's storytelling.