The business which Mr. Mansfield had to transact, detained them so long that it grew very dark as they were returning home; and the little boys were surprised, in the midst of the gloom, to see a bright shining speck upon the ground. “What is that, what is that, grandpapa?” they exclaimed at the same instant. “It looks,” added Charles, “as if one of the stars had fallen to the earth.” “And I see another, and another,” said Arthur, laughing: “oh, what can they be?”
“They are glow-worms,” replied Mr. Mansfield; “and you may find numbers of them, after dark, at this time of the year.”
“They are very pretty,” said Arthur. “I should like to see one near. Will you be so kind, sir, as to stop for a moment, and let me get out and fetch one?”
Mr. Mansfield consented, and Arthur jumped out, and presently returned in triumph with his prize. They then saw that the glow-worm was a small insect, something bigger than a wood-louse; and that the brightness proceeded from a part under the tail. The light it gave was strong enough for them to see what time it was by their grandfather’s watch, when held close to it.
“I have been trying, grandpapa,” said Arthur, after having sat still for some time, with the glow-worm in his hand, “to find what it is that occasions the light; but I cannot make it out.”
“I believe, Arthur,” said Mr. Mansfield, smiling, “that this wonderful little insect has puzzled philosophers much wiser than you. I never heard its luminous appearance explained in a very satisfactory manner; and not at all in a way that you would understand.”
Charles. There is no difficulty in finding out glow-worms, let it be ever so dark.
Mr. Mansfield. Your observation, my dear, brings to my mind a pretty fable I once read about a glow-worm; and the moral of it is, that we ought not to boast of any external advantages we may possess, or despise those who happen to be without them; since the very things we are proud of, often bring down misfortunes upon us.
Arthur. But what was the fable, grandpapa? In my book they always put the fable first; but you have begun with the moral.
Mr. Mansfield. “A glow-worm, vain of her beauty, began to upbraid a poor humble wood-louse, that lay beside her. ‘Dost not thou admire my splendid tail,’ said she, ‘that sends forth a light almost as glorious as the stars? Insignificant reptile that thou art! wonder at thy boldness, in venturing so near to one of my brilliant appearance. What admiration wilt thou acquire, or when wilt thou become the pride and glory of the night?’