The little boy and the firefly journeyed aimlessly for days. The boy who did not know what to do suddenly did not know where to go. Must he go back to the place where he wasn’t good at doing anything? Must he go back to his old house where there is now only a big hole? Or must he go on where nothing is ever certain but where some things might still be possible in the end?

“Where are we going?” inquired the firefly after a yawn, feeling a bit sleepy after a day’s journey.

“I’m not sure,” replied the boy. “But I better go where I’m not sure rather than go back where I’m certainly good for nothing.”

“But–but is there such a place?”

“I don’t know. There must be a place where I can be good at something...even if I may never know my name.”

“I do hope so,” the firefly said, trying to give an encouraging tone. After another yawn, the firefly finally got some sleep, snoring every now and then as only fireflies from that world could ever do.

Meanwhile, the boy thought about what happened to his home. He thought about the big man whose only talent was to crush rocks with his big hands. Was he going to be like him? Despite trying to put on a brave face in front of Ben, he was really losing hope. He didn’t feel like going anywhere at all. He just wanted to sleep and to remain where they were. Yes, that’s what he’d do. In the morning, he would tell Ben, but then—why was there someone tickling his ear?

“Wake up, little boy! Wake up,” the firefly said as he darted near the boy’s ear.

“What...what is it?” the little boy mumbled as he tried to open his eyes.

“Just tell me we’re not dreaming,” the firefly said.

“Dreaming? I guess...I guess we’re not,” the boy replied as he got up and saw the breathtaking scenery before him. Never before has he seen such a marvelous sight, not even in his dreams. Never before has thousands upon thousands of roses bloomed so beautifully together as though they had been there from eternity.

Why have they failed to see this the night before? Was it because of the darkness? Or was it because of the shadows cast from his own heart?

It’s amazing how something beautiful can suddenly change the way you feel, how it can comfort you and heal you and give you peace.

All that he could do now was to take in everything, to take in as much beauty as he possibly could. It was like being able to breathe again, as though he has forgotten how. It was like being able to believe that light still exists, and because it does, maybe he could still believe in hope. Maybe he could still find a way.

“Ben, do you think we’re still alive?” asked the little boy.

“I think I’m more alive now than I’ve ever been!” replied the firefly.

The little boy agreed. He knew that just by gazing at those flowers, something from within him started to live again.