It was a warm summer day. Beneath the shade of an old apple tree, two close friends were resting. One was a firefly, famous for the gentle light he spread through the night. The other was a grasshopper, well known for his long, powerful leaps.
As all good tales go, invisible fairies lived among the branches of that apple tree. They watched the two friends quietly and whispered to one another.
“How different they are,” they said, “yet how well they get along.”
One particularly curious fairy decided to put their friendship to the test.
“Let us see how strong their bond truly is,” she said.
Suddenly, a large, shining apple fell from the tree. The moment it touched the ground, it split in two, and out stepped a fairy.
“I have been watching you for a long time,” she said. “Your friendship has caught my attention. I would like to offer you a gift—but also a challenge.”
The two friends were filled with excitement.
The fairy held out two treasure maps, each pointing to a different path.
“One path is short but dangerous,” she explained. “The other is long but safe. You may travel together or separately. Whoever reaches the treasure first will claim it. If you go together, you will share it.”
Without hesitation, the grasshopper spoke.
“Let’s go together. We only need one map.”
The firefly brightened his light and smiled.
“I can find my way even in the darkest night. The short path suits me. I’ll go alone.”
And without waiting for a reply, he set off.
The grasshopper felt a little sad but chose the long, safe path and continued on with determination.
Along the way, the firefly discovered a heavy crystal sparkling brilliantly.
“This must bring me good luck,” he said, lifting it onto his back.
But the crystal was heavy. His flight slowed, and his light began to flicker.
Soon, he grew tired and stopped to rest—without realizing he had landed in a spider’s web. He could have escaped if he let go of the crystal, but he refused to leave it behind. The more he struggled, the more tangled he became. Alone, he could no longer free himself.
Just then, the grasshopper happened to pass nearby and noticed his friend trapped in the web. Without a second thought, he set his map aside and left the safe path. With a great leap from a tall leaf, he reached the firefly.
When the firefly saw his friend, just as hope was fading, his light glowed brighter with joy.
Using his strong jaws, the grasshopper tore the web apart strand by strand. The crystal was left behind—but the firefly was free.
Lowering his head, the firefly said softly:
“I see now. The greatest treasure is not what we carry, but who walks beside us.”
This time, the two friends continued together along the long and safe path. They moved patiently, shared what they had, and watched out for one another.
At last, they reached the true treasure—stones that shimmered and sparkled with light.
Yet both of them knew the truth:
Their greatest reward was their friendship.
And so, three apples fell from the sky:
One for the storyteller,
One for the listener,
And one for the firefly and the grasshopper.