Space bedtime story: Nora and the little star

Ages 4 to 8 · 4 min read aloud

Nora and the Little Star

Nora’s bedroom had a window right above her bed. Every evening she looked through it at the sky. She knew the moon, she knew the bright evening star, and she knew a very small star that always seemed to sit a little crooked.

Nora had a secret, too. When she pulled on her silver boots, she could float. Not fast and not wild, but softly and slowly, like a soap bubble. She didn’t need a rocket. That was her superpower.

One evening, Nora noticed that the little star had stopped twinkling. It looked dull and grey. "Oh," said Nora. "I’d better go and see." She pulled on her boots, opened the window and floated outside.

She floated over the rooftops, over the trees, over the clouds. All around her it grew quiet. Below lay the Earth, blue and green, dotted with tiny lights where people lived.

First she passed the moon. "Good evening, Nora," said the moon in a soft, round voice. "Where are you off to?" "To the little star," said Nora. "It’s stopped twinkling." The moon nodded. "Then it must have dust on its points."

Nora floated on, past a planet with beautiful rings. The rings turned very slowly, like a roundabout that has almost stopped. On the planet it was already night. Everything was asleep.

Then she saw the little star. Up close, it was no bigger than her hand. "Hello," whispered the star. "I feel so dull." "I’ll help," said Nora, and she took out her soft scarf.

Very carefully, Nora polished the first point. Then the second. Then the third, the fourth and the fifth. With every point, a little light came back. And then, all at once, the star was twinkling again. Ting, ting, ting.

"Thank you," said the star. "Now I can shine above your house again." It glowed so softly and warmly that Nora gave a big yawn.

Slowly, Nora floated back. Past the planet with the rings. Past the moon, who wished her goodnight. Through the clouds, over the trees, over the rooftops.

She glided in through her window and landed softly on her bed. She took off her boots and set them neatly side by side on the floor. Then she snuggled under her duvet.

Through the window she looked up one last time. There was the little star, still a bit crooked, but shining brightly again. It twinkled, as if to say goodnight. Nora smiled. Her eyes closed. And above her house, the moon and the little star kept watch all night long.