Lightening Bugs

Chapter Four

Chips was eating supper at Charley's house. Charley has prepared a salad with green leaves and nuts. Chips thought it was okay but he wished it had some clover in it.

"Rabbits love clover," Chips commented. "We could eat clover all day long."

"Bugs prefer leaves," said Charley.

"I think rabbits love clover so much because not only does it taste good, it also keeps our fur nice and shiny."

"Do rabbits enjoy having fur?" asked Charley.

"Oh, yes. It makes us nice and soft. We love to snuggle together, especially on cold winter evenings."

"Yes, that must be enjoyable."

"Rabbits have lots of great things," Chips went on bragging. "Our ears are big. Out tails are white a fluffy. We are very sharp, and we can hop so wonderfully well."

"I agree. Rabbits are special. Bugs are special too. There are so many different types of bugs."

Except for Charley, Chips never thought much of bugs. They were mainly just pests. He did not say anything tough, since he did not want to hurt Charley's feelings.

Charley went on. "Did you know there are bugs that can change their color to match their backgrounds? They do this when they need to hide."

"No, I never pay much attention to bugs, except for you of course."

"You never heard crickets sing or watched a spider spin a web or watched ants working hard to build their intricate tunnels?"

"Oh sure. They are nice, Charley. They really are. I never realized what good jumpers grasshoppers were until I met you."

"Both rabbits and bugs are great," said Charley with a smile.

"Yes," agreed Chips, though he really continued to think that most bugs were just pests.

It was dark, and Chips decided he had better be heading back to his home.

"Thank you for the nice supper," he said as he approached the door.

Charley asked, "It's awfully dark out there. Will you find way way home?"

"Sure. Rabbits also have great eyes."

Chips left, and he started along the path to his house. At least, he thought it was the path. It was so dark. There was no moon that night, and the clouds covered the few stars that usually could be seen through the trees. Even with his good eyes Chips could not see his way.

On his side, he could see a tiny light flashing. It was like a little star blinking in the bushes. Soon he saw another, then another. All of a sudden, the whole bush was lit up by hundreds of the tiny sparkling lights.

Chips was very frightened. He has never seen such a sight. Where they little stars, or diamonds, or sparks? The lights were moving around. One came close to Chips.

"Go away, " Chips cried.

"Sorry," a little voice said. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"What are you?" asked Chips.

"Why, I am a lightening bug. Haven't you ever seen one of us before?"

"No, a what type of bug?"

"I am a lightening bug, a firefly..."

"You are a bug? Where does your light come from?"

"The back part of me. I make the light."

"Wow. I didn't know there were bugs that could do that."

"Sure. Bugs can do a lot of amazing things."

There were so many of the lightening bugs that they lit up whole area. Chips realized he was heading in the wrong direction."

"Hey, since you guys can make so much light, would you mind staying with me until I can find the right path to my house?"

"Sure."

The lightening bug signaled the rest of the group. They surrounded Chips and lit the forest all around him. Chips soon was able to find the correct path that led to his home. The lightening bugs followed him the whole way. It was magical being in their sparkly light. He enjoyed watching them and imagined they were diamonds swimming in the thick darkness. Then he imagine he was traveling through the many stars of the Milky Way. What wonderful bugs!

As he reached his home, Chips found himself wholeheartedly agreeing with Charley's statements. Bugs were not just pests, they were special magical creatures. He would never forget his wonderful company and the beautiful light that helped him find his way home.