Young Mary discovers fireflies for the first time and realizes that fireflies are beautiful when shining but are ordinary bugs when not shining. Mary's mom uses the opportunity to teach Mary that although God places His spark of light in us, we don't always shine brightly either. Most of us are like fireflies who shine off and on. When Mary asks how we shine, her mother explains that we shine when we love others, which makes us a reflection of God's love in us.