On a summer night, in a part of the world where there are no lanterns or candles, thousands of little fireflies were flitting to and fro, every now and then lighting up the dark as though somebody had been striking a match.
“I do believe,” said a little firefly, who had been listening to two or three old ones telling about their travels—“I do believe I will go out into the world to see for myself if it is as interesting as you say. Who will come with me?”
“I will,” said one little firefly.
“And I,” said another.
“I won’t,” said a third. “It will give you nothing but trouble.”
“But you have never tried it, and can’t tell,” said the first. “I for one will go.”
“Very well,” said the third. “You will be sorry for it, though, when the rain comes pouring down, or you see that darkness of those heavy-laden clouds ahead, which are threatening every moment to burst in rain.”
But the first fireflies did not come back, and in spite of the rain, and wind, and dark clouds, the three who had set out together agreed to go on and light the way for each other.
The third firefly had told the truth: the rain came down in torrents, and often did they struggle against the wind. But Spark, for that was the first firefly’s name, outshone her companions’ lights. She said she could never forget the comfort it was to see their friendly light shining out behind her, for, when she turned, of course, she would be blown backward, and otherwise she should not have known which way to fly.
At length, however, she was blown so roughly against a twig that it put her light out altogether. If it had not been for her companions, she would have given up in despair. Nothing can be more dismal than to travel all alone when it is pouring rain, and blowing down storms of wind, and so thick dark clouds overhead, that it is impossible to see anything.
“In this way,” said Spark, “how much more is needed than I thought, to keep up one’s spirits!” “But I am nevertheless sorry I came,” said one of her companions. “If I get out of this alive, I will attach myself again to that long stalk of tall grass we passed, and with a huge drop of rain on my head, will sit and swing to and fro in the wind and give up travelling.”
“But we can’t get up on that stalk,” said Spark. “We shall never be as far overhead again.” So they waited till the rain ceased and the wind dropped, and as they were flitting about in this way, Spark’s two companions suddenly disappeared—they did not know where. But the rain came pouring down again, and, as ill-luck would have it, a strong wind began blowing.
“Oh dear!” said Spark, forgetting her troubles in the fear of losing her companions; and the instant that she did so, a black cloud came sweeping over her head and put her light out.
“Now we are all three of us blown out,” said Spark, “I cannot help it, there is no hope for us ever seeing each other again! How I shall pity my poor weak companions who are clinging to the long twigs and branches!”
Just as she had said this, she felt a light touch against one of her wings, and, lo! it was one of her companions who had been so close to her all the time. She was about to exclaim, but he stopped her.
“Hush! hush!” he said. “These clouds are put here for a purpose; go on quietly, and without any light.”
In only a few moments a large hole was made in the clouds over their heads. Spark’s companion, seeing that they were safe under a large broad leaf, said to her, “You will see now that we are better off here.”
And, indeed, Sprark was almost ashamed of having given way to despair, for just as the last cloud burst above them, she saw little twinkling lights all around dancing merrily to and fro.
“Oh! I see now,” she said. “Yes, yes, I see! You have waited for us to light the way! How full and fine the colours are, and how very pretty this is!”
“Yes, thanks to the green sward beneath,” said her companion.
“Now,” said Spark, “I will lead the way.”
And forth she set, lighting the way for all the little rain fairies—so she called them till this time. When they reached a fine open place they all stopped and twinkled and shone and made a great noise; and when Spark called out, “Now, are you not glad I came?” the answer came with a loud hurrah!
That sort of company some people prefer; as for myself, I must own I prefer it my own way.