Earl the earthworm was a sad little worm. He moped and he mourned, not knowing his place in the world. He wanted to feel unique, but everything told him he was obsolete. He saw the way the sun helped the flowers grow, and it only made him feel low. Earl's life was mechanical and monotonous, and he didn't see the point of it. He decided to go on a journey to find himself, because he was tired of being as idle as a book on a shelf.

So he set out, afraid and alone, not knowing what the future would hold. He didn't have a great plan, but he knew that he would cross a great deal of land. Earl was smart, and he definitely used his brain. His wisdom is equal to an old man with a cane. He walked slowly and cautiously, because he didn't know exactly what he would see. He never left too far from home, because he isn't the type to roam. The day was sunny and bright, and he tried to enjoy it, even though on the inside, he felt a tremendous amount of fright.

There wasn't much to see, not even scenery. He only saw tall blades of grass and small flowers, but because he's so small, they looked like huge towers. He was just squirming along when he realized something went wrong. He wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, and he started to feel his heart pounding. Before him, he saw water, and he couldn't have felt hotter. He tried not to panic, because he knew it would not do any good. So he started making his way down through the ground, like an earthworm should. Underground was dark, but he was determined to make his mark. He finally got out, with the water behind him, and the light was anything but dim.

He was surprised at his own bravery, and Earl was excited about what could be. He moved with a different stride, mostly due to his increase in pride. He held his head high, up in the direction of the sky. He was moving right along when he heard a gargantuan boom; the type of boom that makes you think about your doom. He tried to locate the area of the sound, and Earl decided the safest thing to do would be to travel underground.

Right after he made up his mind, he felt a huge blast of water that was not very kind. Then he was surrounded, and he tried to move fast, as the rain pounded. He tried to find soil soft enough to dig, but the raindrops were just too big. He decided that he would take cover and wait it out, and he wished they were currently in a drought. The rain had ceased, and now he could go as he pleased.

The sun refused to do anything but shine, and Earl was feeling just fine. He was glad that he had moved past the fright with the rain, and he was surprised that he was able to stay sane. He was shaken but not stirred; after all he could still make out his words. He was walking along when he felt another threat, and he was trying extremely hard not to fret. He saw the shadow of a pair of wings, and in terms of predators, they were the kings. He saw a bird, and this time, he had no words.

He moved rapidly, trying to get to a spot that the bird could not see. Birds are the greatest threat for worms, and Earl didn't even think about attempting to stand firm. He bolted as fast as possible, but it was not that fast, since the best Earl could do was wobble. He felt the bird closing in, and Earl closed his eyes, but then he was met with a surprise.

He saw the bird when he opened his eyes, confused that he had not experienced his own demise. He was twenty feet in the air, and loved the view so much that he wouldn't even dare to pretend to care about returning to the ground. He saw that he was on the back of a butterfly, and then he realized why. The butterfly had saved him, and was bringing Earl to safety. Earl loved how in the sky he had the ability to really open his eyes, and see. They began their descent, away from a view that seemed heaven-sent. They landed on a branch from a big tree, overlooking many flowers with lingering bees.

"Thanks for saving me." said Earl. "Of course, in terms of helping people, I'm always ready." "I wish I had some kind of special meaning. I just sit there inert and dull. Everything is such a lull. I want to be flying or saving people like you!" "But Earl you have just as much capacity to go out and do! You enrich the soil and make things grow. Without you, the flowers would have no place to go. Take advantage of your small size, and don't be afraid to show that you are wise."

"Look at the flowers, people think they have these great powers. They are forced to stay where they are; unlike you, they can't go very far. Sure, their height continues to grow, but in terms of what's beneath them, they'll never know. And sure they look beautiful, but there is nothing wrong with being dull. You don't realize it Earl, but you make everything better, even after stormy weather. You may not have flashy colors, but why do you want to be like the others? You are so special and unique, don't listen to your harsh self-critique."

Earl left that tree branch with a new sense of meaning. A meaning that gave his face a look of joy that was gleaming. He couldn't wait to be himself, and he couldn't begin to describe the happiness he felt. He knew he was important and special. Earl finally felt that his place in life was official. A world where even an earthworm has a place, must be some great space. And that space must be full of a lot of grace, if an earthworm can join in on the race.