Cave

of the

Glow Worms

3asafeer.com

Author: Al-Sayeed Ibrahim

Illustrator: Maia Aboud

The original work of this book was made possible through the generous support of the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) Partners (the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Vision, and the Australian Government). It was prepared by Asafeer Education Technologies FZ LLC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the ACR GCD Partners. Any adaptation or translation of this work should not be considered an official ACR GCD translation and ACR GCD shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation.

Winter came with its rainstorms and wind and Lizzy the lizard felt so weary. All the insects she fed on had disappeared.

She searched for insects in the trees and around the swamps but she found none. Her tummy growled with hunger. That night Lizzy was so tired she fell fast asleep.

The next morning Lizzy met her friend Spider and asked him, “Where have you been?” Spider replied, “I was looking for food to get through the winter.”

Lizzy asked, “And did you find any?”

Spider replied, “Yes, I’ll take you on an adventure…”

We’ll have to cross swamps and big trees to reach a cave full of glow worms. It’s full of millions of them. We’ll eat until we’re full and we won’t starve all winter long.”

Lizzy loved the idea and said, “Millions of them, wow!!! This winter hunger will be over soon.”

When it was finally dark, Spider said, “The lizards just went to sleep. Let’s get ready to cross the swamp. I don’t want anyone to know my plan.”

Lizzy seemed very worried. Lizzy couldn’t see very well at night. When she looked up at the sky and found that it was a full moon, she was a little better and decided to be courageous and sneak out quietly with her friend.

Spider started swimming to cross the swamp and Lizzy followed but she trembled with fear. She looked right and left then back and front, and suddenly…

A pair of eyes glimmered and starting quickly moving towards them. Lizzy’s heart raced and Spider yelled, “Hurry up! It’s an alligator.”

The alligator was just about to gobble Lizzy up when Spider put a dry branch that was floating nearby right into the alligator’s mouth.

Lizzy managed to escape and hurried out onto dry ground and hid in the thick grass. Spider confidently told her, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” and off they went.

Lizzy noticed some glowing eyes in the trees. She was so scared that she froze. Spider indifferently said, “Are you afraid of these fruit bats? Don’t worry, they’re herbivores and won’t even consider eating us. I know what I’m doing,” and off they went.

In the dark of the night, Lizzy stumbled over something strange. “Ouch! That was sharp…that hurt.”

Spider laughed and said, “It’s only a hungry porcupine looking for worms. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” and off they went.

It was getting close to dawn and Lizzy couldn’t wait to arrive at the glow worms’ cave. She was so tired and needed to rest and warm up. When suddenly...

...A huge owl caught Spider in his talons and instantly flew away.

Lizzy cried and said, “I couldn’t save my friend. I’ll miss him so much. He always knew what to do,” and off she went.

Lizzy slowly and sadly trudged on. She dragged her tail behind her and her face was downcast. She had lost her friend and now she was alone and scared. Suddenly, something landed right on top of her. She shouted with a smile on her face, “Is that you, Spider? I can’t believe it! How did you survive?”

Spider just laughed and said, “I sacrificed my tail to save my life. But don’t worry Lizzy, it’ll regrow soon. I know what I’m doing,” and off they went.

The sun rose and the storks began to sing and as they left their nests. The lark played its lovely morning melody as Lizzy and Spider set off to the glow worms’ cave which grew ever closer.

When they finally arrived, they shook hands and Lizzy said, “Thank you, my dear friend and guide. We’re finally here! Let’s go celebrate and eat all those delicious glowworms.”

They entered the cave and were met by a huge lizard who roared at them, frightening them both. They took off running. Lizzy said “I would rather go back home and eat grasshoppers. Anything is better than this!”

That is one big dragon !

The End