Lessons from fireflies on wonder, loss and yearning

While their twinkling dance in the dark evokes so much magic, the decline in their numbers is also a reminder for us to reflect on how we live

ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
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Fireflies have always evoked a sense of wonder and magic in our family. There is something about the tiny sparks that rouses the inner child in us, causing us to set aside our cynical and rational selves - if only for a brief moment - while we watch them dance in the night.

It is perhaps best captured by Owl City's hit song Fireflies:

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on December 29, 2019, with the headline Lessons from fireflies on wonder, loss and yearning. Subscribe