Bibi was a curious little girl, always eager to explore the world around her. She had a habit of asking endless questions, always wanting to know why things were the way they were. Her father, Mr. Sam, admired her inquisitiveness but also worried about her tendency to wander off when something caught her attention.
One sunny afternoon, Bibi and her dad went to the park near their home. The park was full of tall trees, colorful flowers, and birds chirping in the distance. It was the perfect day for a walk, and Bibi loved spending time outdoors. As they strolled along the winding path, her father reminded her, “Bibi, stay close to me, okay? There are lots of people here, and I don’t want you to get lost.”
“Yes, Daddy,” Bibi replied cheerfully, but her mind was already wandering. She loved discovering new things, and today was no different. As they walked past a patch of freshly turned soil, something wiggly caught her eye.
“Daddy, look!” Bibi exclaimed, pointing at the ground. “What is that?”
Mr. Sam glanced down and smiled. “That’s an earthworm, Bibi. It lives in the soil and helps keep it healthy.”
Bibi crouched down, her big brown eyes filled with wonder. The little pinkish-brown creature wriggled in the dirt, moving in a way she had never seen before. “How does it move without legs?” she asked.
Her dad chuckled. “Earthworms have tiny bristles on their bodies that help them move. They stretch and contract their muscles to wiggle through the soil.”
Bibi was fascinated. She wanted to see where the worm was going, what it did all day, and where it lived. Before her father could say another word, she decided to find out for herself.
Without thinking, Bibi darted after the worm as it slowly burrowed into the dirt. She followed its path, stepping over roots and pushing past bushes. She was so focused on the worm that she didn’t hear her father calling her name.
“Bibi! Wait!” Mr. Sam’s voice rang out, but Bibi had already disappeared behind a row of bushes.
The little girl giggled as she followed the worm’s tiny trail. “Where are you going, little worm?” she whispered excitedly. She imagined the worm had a secret underground home, and she wanted to see it. Maybe it had a family, just like she did!
She followed the wiggly creature across the park, weaving between tree trunks and hopping over small rocks. The further she went, the quieter it became. She no longer heard the chatter of children playing or the rustling of her father’s footsteps behind her. When she finally looked up, she realized she was alone.
Bibi’s heart pounded. She turned in circles, trying to remember which way she had come. The trees all looked the same. The excitement of following the worm had made her forget about everything else.
“Daddy?” she called out, but there was no answer.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She hadn’t meant to run away, but she had been so curious! She wiped her face and took a deep breath. “Okay, think, Bibi. Daddy always says to stay where you are if you get lost.”
She sat down on a big rock and looked around. The earthworm was still nearby, wriggling happily in the dirt. “You’re lucky, little worm,” she sniffled. “You never get lost.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Sam was searching frantically for Bibi. He asked passersby if they had seen a little girl with curly hair and a bright yellow dress. His heart pounded with worry. “Bibi!” he called. “Where are you?”
After a few minutes, he heard a tiny voice call back, “Daddy!”
Following the sound, Mr. Sam pushed through the bushes and found Bibi sitting on the rock, wiping her tears. Relief washed over him as he rushed to hug her.
“Oh, Bibi, I was so worried! You can’t run off like that,” he said, holding her close.
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” Bibi whispered. “I just wanted to follow the earthworm.”
Mr. Sam sighed but smiled. “I know you’re curious, and that’s a good thing. But you have to remember to stay safe. If you ever want to explore something, tell me first, okay?”
Bibi nodded. “Okay, Daddy.”
As they walked back to the main path, Mr. Sam picked up a stick and gently moved the earthworm aside so it wouldn’t get stepped on. “You know, Bibi, earthworms live underground because the soil is their home. They help plants grow by keeping the soil healthy.”
Bibi’s eyes lit up again, but this time she held onto her dad’s hand. “That’s so cool, Daddy! Maybe one day I can be a scientist and study worms and bugs!”
Mr. Sam laughed. “You can be anything you want, my little explorer.”
That evening, as they walked home, Bibi told her mother all about the earthworm adventure. From that day on, she made sure to always stay close to her father when exploring. But her curiosity never faded—she just learned to explore the world safely, one discovery at a time.
