The Tale of the Firefly (High School Stories #2)
10/30/2009
Prompt/Background: Another creative writing assignment, where I had to choose a god from Greek mythology and create an original tale around it. And yes, I know how bad this original final draft is, but it’s something I have been editing and trying to improve over the last couple years, and I hope to share it again someday in a better form!
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The firefly is a unique insect. They light up brightly as they fly through the night. They are like small light bulbs that fly around and light up the night sky. It is a mystery as to what gives these bugs their light. However, they did not always have their light. Luckily, there is always a myth to help explain what we do not know.
It was said to be a dark and stormy night. A family of fireflies got lost in the heavy downpour and was forced to seek shelter until the storm let up. Brilliant lightning flashed and thunder rumbled in the distance. The wind howled and blew the fireflies in every direction. They could not stay together because the wind was so strong. The family was separated. Some of them would not escape the terrible storm. They flew and flew, trying to dodge the big raindrops threatening to send them spiraling to the ground.
They could not find their way. It was too dark and the rain was too heavy. “Where do we go?” they pleaded as they flew in any direction they could. Everything looked the same to them. There was no way of knowing how to get out of this horrible disaster. “What is that bright light that keeps flashing?” one asked as another bolt of lightning flashed. “Maybe it could help us get back home,” one said and they all started to follow the last bolt of lightning they saw. It confused them because when they would fly the direction of the last one they saw, lightning would strike in a different place. They tried to follow the light for a while, turning left, then right, and then left again. They just could not seem to stay with the light that may have been their only way home. One cried out, “Which way?” and they were scared bya loud booming voice that seemed to come from the heavens. “I can help you find your way back home.” The fireflies trembled and would have run had there been anywhere for them to run. “Who are you?” a firefly asked in a voice that was so much smaller than the stranger. “I am the powerful and mighty Zeus, god of the sky and the rain.” A firefly asked him, “But how can anyone find their way through this storm? We cannot see in any direction. How do we find our way?” Zeus replied, “Don’t worry, I will help guide you.” The fireflies finally quit questioning and they decided to trust Zeus.
“First, I need you to find all of your family,” Zeus told the fireflies. “But how can we find them? We lost them it seems like hours ago. There is no way to know where they are now.” All of the fireflies were confused. They thought that Zeus would help them get home, and all he told them to do was to go find their family. “But how will we find you again?” “I am right here if you need me,” Zeus told them as he sent them on their way.
It seemed like they had been flying for hours when they finally heard a faint chorus of voices yelling through the storm. “I know those voices,” one firefly said as his excitement grew. “We found them!” another cried as they flew in the direction of the sound of the voices. The family was reunited again. “Come on, we have to go find Zeus again. We will explain that to you on the way,” the firefly told the rest of the family as they started flying back in some direction, hoping it was the right way. On their way, the fireflies filled the family in on who Zeus was and what he had told them to do in order for Zeus to help them all. “Zeus, are you there?” one firefly asked as they flew around. “Yes I am here,” the familiar deep loud voice replied. “We found our family, so now will you help us all find our way back to our home?” the firefly pleaded, ready to rest and be in a recognizable place again. Zeus did not answer. Instead, there was a loud crash of thunder and the biggest bolt of lightning the fireflies had ever seen came down from the sky, branched out, and zapped every one of the fireflies! They were all dazed for a moment, and then when they realized what had happened, they became angry. “What was that about?” the fireflies demanded. “I have helped you. Now you can go back home with your family,” Zeus said in a calm and level tone. Suddenly, there were little flickers of light, but it was not lightning. The fireflies were surprised to find that it was them giving off the bright flickering lights. “It is so bright!” a firefly exclaimed as he stared in awe at the light. Zeus said kindly, “Now, no matter where you are, you will always find your way back home.” “Thank you Zeus, thank you!” the fireflies all yelled. With that, the fireflies started their long journey home, and it was much easier to tell where they were going now that they had lights to guide them.
That is how the firefly got its light. The fireflies will worship Zeus, the one who helped them all find their way home that dark and stormy night. They even have a special day of celebration where the fireflies all thank the helpful and wonderful Zeus. They all come out during the night and dance and flicker to show him that they are grateful for what he has given them. They may have doubted him at first, but they know now that they can depend on Zeus. They can be assured that they will always find their way back home.
THE END