Joshua was a little firefly, but he had a big problem. He couldn’t glow! All his brothers and sisters zoomed around the meadow, blinking bright green lights, but Joshua’s light stayed dim and flickery. He felt very sad and wished he could shine like the others.
Every night, Mama Firefly would say, “Joshua, your light will come when it’s ready. Be patient, little one.” But Joshua didn’t want to *wait*. He tried everything! He ate extra sweet nectar, he wiggled his bottom extra hard, and he even asked his brother, Jasper, for tips. Nothing worked.
One evening, feeling particularly gloomy, Joshua sat on a dandelion and watched the other fireflies play hide-and-seek. He tried to join in, but he was too embarrassed to blink his tiny light. A little ladybug, Luna, noticed Joshua looking sad.
“What’s wrong?” Luna asked kindly. Joshua explained about his dim light. Luna listened carefully, then said, “But your light *is* special! It’s a gentle glow, like a tiny star. It’s different, and that’s wonderful!”
Joshua had never thought of it that way. He looked at his light again. It wasn’t bright and flashy, but it was a soft, warm glow. He started to blink it slowly, and Luna smiled. “See? It’s beautiful!”
Suddenly, Old Man Tiber, the wise owl, hooted softly. “Joshua,” he said, “your light isn’t meant to be the brightest. It’s meant to be *yours*. It guides lost bumblebees back to their hive and helps sleepy caterpillars find their leaves.”
Joshua blinked his light with pride. He realized Luna and Old Man Tiber were right. He didn’t need to be like the other fireflies. His gentle glow was perfect just the way it was. He joined the game of hide-and-seek, and his soft light helped Luna find all her friends.
From that night on, Joshua wasn’t sad about his light anymore. He knew that everyone shines in their own special way. And as he drifted off to sleep, he blinked his gentle glow, happy to be Joshua, the little firefly with the beautiful, unique light. Now close your eyes, little one, and let your own special light shine bright as you dream.