Go a Little Farther, or Head Home?

In the sunset sky, a little light blinked on. "Oh, a firefly!" Nana chased after it. On her shoulder, the flying squirrel Fuu went round-eyed too. The firefly drifted, drifted, toward the hill. "A little farther… just a little farther." The sparkle beckoned Nana on.

After dinner, Nana had come with Fuu to see the fireflies. One, two… and the closer to the far side of the hill, the more the lights multiplied. "Over there might be amazing." When she looked back, her home's window glowed warm, a little dot in the dusk. The sky was slowly turning deep blue.

From beyond the hill, a soft light came spilling out. "That many… I want to see it!" Fuu looked ready to glide off into the air. Nana's feet pulled forward, forward. "If I go just a little farther, it'll surely be an amazing sight." Her chest filled up with excitement.

But — the sky was nearly pitch dark now. All around was hushed, the grass whispering. When she looked back, her home's window had grown far away and small. "…Maybe it's a little scary." Home was warm. The bath, the futon, all waiting. Nana's feet came to a stop.

The sparkle beyond the hill. That, surely, she could see only now. But her home's window. There it was warm, safe, beloved. Go on, and an amazing sight. Go back, and a snug, cozy night. Two feelings collided inside Nana.

Fuu nestled softly against Nana's cheek. Just then, a single firefly settled lightly on Nana's finger. Its tiny light blinked on and off. Right before her, the path split in two — one climbing the hill, one going back home. Nana drew in a breath.

The dazzling light beyond the hill. Go, and she'd see something amazing. Behind her, her home's window. Go back, and it was warm and safe. Go a little farther? Or head home? …What will Nana do?