The Serpent and the Firefly

Once upon a time, a serpent chased a firefly.

The latter fled rapidly, afraid of the ferocious predator, but the serpent didn’t even think about giving up. The firefly fled one day and the serpent didn’t give up; two days, and nothing…

On the third day, now clearly weakened, the firefly stopped and asked the serpent:

• Can I ask you three questions?

• I don’t usually proceed this way with anyone, but since I’m going to devour you anyway, you may ask…

• Am I part of your food chain?
• No.

• Did I harm you in any way?
• No.

• So then, why do you want to finish me off?
• Because I can’t stand to see you shine…

Many times, we don’t understand the reason for persecution, anger, lies, slander, etc.

But here is one of the reasons:
they simply can’t stand to see us shine!