"Oh, yes. It was a jolly festival," said Johannes. "Do you have to stay here all the time, in this dark passage?"
"That is my own choice," said the glow-worm, in a bitter, mournful voice. "I care no more for vanities."
"Come," said Windekind, "you do not mean that!"
"It is just as I say. Formerly—formerly there was a time when I, too, went to feasts, and danced, and kept up with such frivolities; but now I am purified through suffering, now...." And he became so agitated that his light went out again. Fortunately they were near the outlet, and the rabbit, hearing them coming, moved a little to one side, so that the moonlight shone in.
As soon as they were outside by the rabbit, Johannes said: "Will you not tell us your history, Glow-worm?"
"Alas!" sighed the glow-worm, "it is a sad and simple story. It will not amuse you."
"Tell us! Tell us, all the same!" they cried.
"Well, then, you know that we glow-worms are very peculiar beings. Yes, I believe no one would contradict that we glow-worms are the most highly gifted of all who live.
"Why? I do not know that," said the rabbit. At this, the glow-worm asked disdainfully, "Can you give light?"
"No, indeed, I cannot," the rabbit was obliged to confess.