The Hopping Surprise
Fifi's new magnifying glass reveals a tiny world of ants, but when her friend Nia wants a turn, a sudden grasshopper leads to an even bigger discovery.
Fifi knelt in the backyard, lifting her new magnifying glass over an ant trail. 'Look, Momo! That ant has a crumb bigger than its head.' Momo sniffed. 'Is it the strongest ant in the world?'
The gate creaked. Nia, her neighbor, walked in. 'Hi Fifi, what's that?' Fifi showed her the glass. 'I can see their tiny legs.' Nia leaned in. 'Can I look?' Fifi hugged the glass. 'I just got it...' Momo whispered, 'Maybe she'll see a different bug?'
Fifi took a slow breath and handed Nia the magnifying glass. 'Okay, but please be gentle.' Nia held it carefully over the grass.
Suddenly, a grasshopper sprang up. 'Ahh!' Nia yelped, jumping back into Fifi. They all tumbled onto the grass in a heap. Momo wiggled out and let out a tiny yip. The girls looked at each other and burst into giggles. 'That bug scared us, ' Nia said, laughing.
Fifi giggled. 'Your turn to find a bug!' They passed the glass back and forth, finding a ladybug and a caterpillar.
Then they spotted a butterfly. Fifi held the glass as Nia looked. 'Its wings are like stained glass, ' Nia breathed. Fifi peeked and grinned. Momo whispered, 'It's pretty for two pairs of eyes.' The butterfly's wings opened and closed slowly.
This English moral short story was checked for clear language, age-appropriate content, and a lesson that follows naturally from the story.