Little Star

by Sarah Earlene Shere, Hosanna Heralds, ©2023      

(Jan. 28, 2023) — Once upon a time, a little star decided that he wanted to see the world. So, one night, when his family was asleep, he jumped from the sky. Down, down, down he fell till he landed on the earth, just outside the tipi of a Plains Indian boy named Koda.

When Koda saw a bright light outside he decided to investigate. Can you imagine his surprise when he found the little star in the dirt looking up at him and smiling?

“Hello,” said the little star.

“Hello,” replied Koda. “What are you doing in the dirt? You should be in the sky.”

“I’m tired of being a star. I want to stay here a while.”

Koda smiled, thinking how fun it would be to have a star. So he took the star back to his tipi and gave him the name Bright Heart.

Koda and Bright Heart talked long into the night about things on Earth and things in the heavens. The next day, Koda left Bright Heart in his tipi while he did his chores. But, when Koda came back, he found Bright Heart quite depressed. Koda scowled thoughtfully. “What’s the matter, Bright Heart?”

Bright Heart sighed, “I miss my family.”

“But don’t you like it here?”

“Sure I do. But my family’s not here.”

Koda felt badly for Bright Heart, so he did all in his power to make him happy and comfortable. They exchanged stories and played games, but Bright Heart still missed his family.

Finally, one day, Koda sighed, “I’m sorry, Bright Heart. If only there was some way I could get you back to your family.”

Suddenly, Bright Heart smiled. “There is something you could do!”

“What?”

“I’m a star, so I can grant you a wish. All you have to do is wish me home!”

So, that night, Koda took Bright Heart into an empty field and said goodbye to him.

Bright Heart smiled. “Don’t be sad, little friend. I’ll always be near you. Just look at the stars. I’ll be the one twinkling fastest and brightest!”

Koda managed to smile through his tears and softly whispered, “I wish for Bright Heart to go home with his family.”

Suddenly, Bright Heart was lifted into the sky. He smiled and waved. “Goodbye, Koda. Thank you!”

And you can still see Bright Heart today. Just look at the stars. He’s the one twinkling fastest and brightest!