The Long Journey of a Short Worm

    By Ryan Turner

    The Long Journey of a Short Worm cover image

    12 May, 2024

    a cartoon of a bug in a pile of worms in a forest with trees and grass in the background, underground comix, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, biopunk

    Shorty was the smallest worm in the mound. The other worms often laughed at him and said he'd never be as long as them.

    a group of bugs crawling out of a hole in a field of dirt and grass with trees in the background, underground comix, a storybook illustration, Farel Dalrymple, biopunk

    The bully worms were relentless. One day, Shorty decided to leave the mound and see the world.

    a cartoon of a man with a backpack walking down a dirt road in a mountainous area with mountains and trees, sots art, concept art, Cliff Childs, comic cover art

    Shorty wriggled across fields, climbed mountains, and crawled through forests. He saw things he'd never dreamed of.

    a painting of a man standing in a valley with a stream running through it and mountains in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Dan Mumford, comic cover art

    Every new experience was a joy. As Shorty journeyed on, he felt himself growing. Not only in length but also in wisdom.

    a boy is standing in the middle of a sea with fish and corals on it, looking at the camera, pop surrealism, a storybook illustration, Diego Gisbert Llorens, highly detailed digital painting

    Shorty swam through the ocean, meeting various sea creatures and learning about their lives. His sense of wonder was boundless.

    a painting of a scuba diver in a coral reef with fish and corals around him, with a bright blue background, pop surrealism, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    He grew longer and stronger. He was no longer the small, short worm. He was becoming a long, wise traveller.

    a city street with a train on the tracks and buildings on the sides of the street and a sky line, underground comix, a comic book panel, Asaf Hanuka, laurie greasley

    Shorty explored the city, marvelling at the towering buildings and the fast pace of life. He felt himself growing more and more.

    a city street with people walking around and shops on the sides of it at night time with a lot of lights on, underground comix, a comic book panel, Dan Mumford, josan gonzales and dan mumford

    After a year of travelling and learning, Shorty decided it was time to return home. He was excited to share his stories.

    a group of blue and orange bugs in a forest with a sun in the background and trees and bushes, sots art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, 2 d game art

    When Shorty returned, the bully worms were shocked to see how long he'd become. They couldn't believe their eyes.

    a bunch of cartoon characters are in a field of dirt and grass, with one of them is smiling, underground comix, a microscopic photo, Diego Gisbert Llorens, biopunk

    'How did you grow so long?' they asked in awe. Shorty just smiled and began to share his adventures.

    a cartoon character sitting on a dirt road surrounded by other cartoon characters and a mountain range in the background, sots art, a character portrait, Chris LaBrooy, 2 d game art

    He told them about the mountains, the ocean, the city, and all the wonderful things he'd seen and learned.

    a cartoon boy surrounded by many orange and white stuffed animals and smiling for the camera with his mouth open, neoplasticism, a character portrait, Diego Gisbert Llorens, furaffinity

    The bully worms listened in silence, realizing that Shorty's growth came from his experiences, not from staying in one place.

    The Long Journey of a Short Worm