An early childhood story about curiosity, wonder, and being yourself.

 

🐛 Introduction

A curious little worm wants to know what makes him special. Come along with Wiggle as he meets his garden friends and discovers that being yourself is more than enough.

This story is part of our June theme: curiosity and wonder, inspired by insects, flowers, and everything buzzing and blooming outdoors.

Note: I first told this story with just three insects. Over the years, I’ve added new animals depending on the children’s interest and the environment around us (one year we even added a gecko!). The dialogue adapts depending on the children’s mood—sometimes we act it out, other times we just say “hello” and “bye-bye.” It’s just a suggestion and should be adapted to fit your group. I use this story in both English and Norwegian.

 

Story

Wiggle the little earthworm woke up in the soft, brown dirt.
He peeked out from under a leaf and yawned a tiny worm yawn.
“I wonder what the others are doing today,” Wiggle said.
So he wriggled off to find out.

 

🐜 Ant

First, Wiggle saw Ant, carrying a big seed.
“I dig tunnels and help my ant friends,” said Ant.
“So strong!” said Wiggle. “I wonder if I’m strong too…”

 

🪰 Fly

Buzzing nearby was Fly, zipping in circles.
“I fly up, down, and all around!” said Fly.
“I see flowers, ponds, and people’s hats!”
“So fast,” said Wiggle. “I wonder if I could fly…”

🐞 Ladybug

Ladybug fluttered down and smiled.
“My red shell keeps me safe, and I like sitting on leaves in the sun.”
“So beautiful,” said Wiggle. “I wonder if I am beautiful…”

🐉 Dragonfly

High above, Dragonfly zipped by with shiny wings.
“I fly fast like the wind!” she called.
Wiggle felt quiet.
“I wonder… why am I so different?”

 

🐝 Bee

Just then, Bee buzzed by.
“Yes!” said Bee. “Without good soil, my flowers can’t grow!”
“You help the earth, Wiggle. That’s very, very special.”

Wiggle felt warm and happy.
“I can’t hop or fly,” he said, “but I can help things grow.”
“I guess wondering helps me learn… and being me is wonderful too.”

He looked around at his friends and smiled.
“Being me is wonderful too.”
And with that, Wiggle dug down into the dirt, feeling proud, and dreamed of flowers, sunshine, and all the friends he had.

 

✨ Optional Verses

🦗 Grasshopper

Next, Wiggle heard Grasshopper go boing! into the air.
“I hop super high!” said Grasshopper.
“So high,” said Wiggle softly. “I wonder if I can jump too…”

🐛 Centipede

Centipede crawled by with so many legs, Wiggle lost count!
“I can twist and climb with all my feet!”
“So long,” said Wiggle. “I wonder if I’m that long…”

🕷️ Spider

Just then, Spider peeked out from her web.
“I spin silk and catch bugs in my web,” she said.
Wiggle sighed.
“Everyone has something special. I just dig.”
Spider smiled gently.
“But digging is amazing. You make the soil soft. You help the roots. You make the ground healthy!”
Wiggle blinked. “Really?”

 

🎭 Let’s Pretend Together

After the story, try this roleplay idea with your child or group:

You: “Hello, good morning, how are you?”

Child (as Wiggle or Bee): “I’m fine, thank you! How are you?”

You: “What are you up to today?”

Let your child answer and take turns being Bee, Fly, Ladybug, or Wiggle. This kind of imaginative play is perfect for ages 2 and up, as roleplay skills start to blossom.

 

🔗 Explore More

👉 See all nature stories

👉 Songs that go with this story

 

Vrikke, den lille meitemarken

(Norwegian version)

Vrikke, den lille meitemarken våknet i den myke, brune jorden.
Han tittet frem under et blad og gjespet et lite meitemark-gjesp.
“Jeg lurer på hva de andre gjør i dag,” sa Vrikke.
Så han vrikket av gårde for å finne det ut.

🐜 Maur

Først så Vrikke Maur som bar på en stor barnål.
“Jeg graver tunneler og hjelper  maurvennene mine” sa Maur.
“Du er så sterk!” sa Vrikke. “Jeg lurer på om jeg er sterk også…”

 

🪰 Flue

I nærheten summet Flue rundt i sirkler.
“Jeg flyr opp, ned, og rundt her kan du se!” sa Flue.
“Jeg ser blomster, dammer, og folks kammer!”
“Så rask du er,” sa Vrikke. “Jeg lurer på om jeg kan fly…”

🐞 Marihøne

Marihøna fløy ned og smilte.
“Mitt røde skjold holder meg trygg, og jeg liker å sitte på blader i solen.”
“Så vakker du er,” sa Vrikke. “Jeg lurer på om jeg er vakker…”

🐉 Øyenstikker

Høyt oppe suste Øyenstikker forbi med sine blanke vinger.
“Jeg flyr fort som vinden!” ropte hun.
Vrikke ble helt stille.
“Jeg lurer på… hvorfor er jeg så annerledes?” 

🐝 Bie

Like etterpå suste Bie forbi.

“Men å grave er fantastisk. Du gjør jorden myk. Du hjelper røttene. Du gjør bakken sunn!”
Vrikle blinket. “Virkelig?
“Ja!” sa Bie. “Uten god jord kan ikke blomstene mine vokse!”
“Du hjelper jorden, Vrikke. Det er veldig, veldig spesielt.”

Vrikke følte seg varm og glad.
“Jeg kan ikke hoppe eller fly,” sa han, “men jeg kan hjelpe plantene med å vokse.”
“Jeg tror det å undre seg hjelper meg å lære… og det å være meg er også fantastisk.”

Han så på vennene sine og smilte.
“Det å være meg er også fantastisk.”
Og med det gravde Vrikke seg ned i jorden, følte seg stolt, og drømte om blomster, solskinn og alle vennene sine.

 

✨ Valgfrie vers

🦗 Gresshoppe

Neste hørte Vrikke Gresshoppe hoppe gjennom luften.
“Jeg hopper veldig høyt!” sa Gresshoppe.
“Så høyt,” sa Vrikke stille. “Jeg lurer på om jeg også kan hoppe …”

🐛 Tusenbein

Tusenbeinet krabbet forbi med så mange bein at Vrikke mistet tellingen!
“Jeg kan vri meg og klatre med alle beina mine!”
“Så lang,” sa Vrikke. “Jeg lurer på om jeg er så lang…”

🕷️ Edderkopp

Plutselig tittet Edderkoppen frem fra nettet sitt.
“Jeg spinner silke og fanger insekter i nettet mitt,” sa hun.
Vrikke sukket.
“Alle har noe spesielt. Jeg bare graver.”
Edderkoppen smilte mildt.