The Little Star

By: Bethany Lindell

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky, Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are. Rose leaned her head against the car window with a thump as her sister Ann continued to sing the little nursery rhyme over and over again. They had been trapped in the car for the past four hours and she hadnt stopped singing for what felt like the entire time. Rose felt like she was about to go mad. In desperation she leaned forward in her seat, wrapping her small hands around her daddys headrest. Are we there yet? she whined, more than ready to get out of the small car. Fifteen minutes, Mrs. Taylor said without turning around. Rose thought about that sourly. But you said that last time, she pointed out loudly. Her mother made an aggravated noise in the back of her throat before half turning in her seat, her pink lips thinning with the annoyance that usually came with long car rides and small children. Rose, well get there when we get there. Now sit down and stop asking. She told her oldest daughter. The car was quiet again except for the rush of dry, summer wind as it whistled past the car windows. I dont even want to go to Aunt Gertas. We dont even know her, Rose finally grumbled as she tried her hardest to ignore Annies repetitive singing. I dont even know her, her father muttered. His wife placed a slim fingered hand on his arm. She likes her privacy honey I told you that. But Ive known her since I was a little girl and shes been around forever. She didnt just fall out of the sky. And Rosie you know we cant take you with us to visit Cousin Meryl. You remember what happened the last time we went to her house.

Rose shuddered. She remembered alright. It had been horrible and entirely Sammys fault too. He was Cousin Meryls bratty boy. At eleven he thought he knew everything and Rose and Annie knew nothing because they were just little girls. Rose glowered just thinking about it. She wasnt little. She was seven and a half thank you. And shed be darned if she ever willingly went back to Sammys house. Even Great Aunt Gerta was better than him. Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, Annie started singing, bobbing her head happily as the car bounced along the highways skinny exit ramp. Rose stared hard out the window as the sparse trees multiplied into forests as their car made its way down the gravel road. She tried to ignore Annie going on and on and on but since the road wasnt pockmarked enough to make her teeth clack together noisily she was having a hard time of it. Agh! She finally cried, throwing her hands in the air. Are we there yet? she nearly shouted. Yes, her daddy said as he pulled the car into the small dirt drive way of his wifes aunts house. It took Rose a moment to realize what he had just said. She had sighed in aggravation and everything before her brain actually understood her fathers answer. Wait what? Really? She asked as she looked out the window as the car came to a long awaited stop. Finally! She yelled flinging wide the door and throwing off the hated, choking, seat belt. She was out of the car before her dad could look at her mom with his own, Finally. Rose stretched, glad just to be out of her familys tiny car. With some curiosity she looked over at her Great Aunts house sitting a few yards away. It was small for a house, more of a cottage than anything else. Worn, smooth stones, colored different soft grays, made up the walls while the doors and window shutters were made of pastel painted wood. A large garden with all sorts of blooming flowers colored the yard along with a thin gravel path leading from the drive way to the cottage. Oh, its so pretty. Annie said from where she now stood next to her older sister, her favorite ballerina rabbit (originally named Bunny) clutched tight in her four year old arms. Rose nodded. Yeah, its sort of weird. Annie pouted cutely. Pretty, she said stubbornly.

Rose nodded. Yeah, but its still weird. I mean who lives in a place like this? She asked gesturing to the woods and the garden and the stone cottage. Princesses, Annie said as if this was a perfectly normal thing to expect in life. Rose opened her mouth to say how likely she thought that was, but her mother interrupted her. Well, what are you girls just standing there for? Lets go inside, their mother said as she ushered them toward the lilac painted door. Annie followed their mother with a giggle and a, Come on Bunny! This looks like fun! Rose followed with more uncertainty. She had never believed in things like princesses and prince charmings, and to be left in a place that so obviously looked like it belonged to them had her feeling a little out of place. Mr. Taylor knocked on the door. Then they stood in silence as they waited for Great Aunt Gerta to answer the door, each looking around at the bright, climbing flowers covering the door frame. The silence has just grown slightly awkward and very impatient on their fathers part when the door suddenly opened, slowly but steadily revealing a small, plump woman with hair as gray as the stones that made up her home. Her blue eyes were almost violet in the shaded light, although her old fashioned violet-gray dress might have helped with that. She adjusted her lacy shawl around her shoulders before recognizing the people standing on her front step. She smiled, a gentle, pleasant expression that had Rose and Annie smiling back, albeit a bit nervously. Sarah! She said with genuine joy holding her arms out to Mrs. Taylor to wrap her in a hug. Oh my dear I havent seen you in ages. And this is your husband of course. She said drawing back to take in Mr. Taylor. He smiled uneasily at her, looking out of place in his dark blue, button up shirt and cleanly pressed slacks. He was quite the opposite from his slender, dreamy eyed wife in her pretty, summer sandals and daisy yellow sundress. The elder woman gave Mr. Taylor the once over before nodding politely. How dyou do? She asked with a small nod. She didnt try to hug him like she had Sarah, but then Rose didnt think her daddy wanted to be touched by this strange woman. The lavender woman calmly looked down at her nieces, a small smile hiding in the creases of her mouth. And these are your girls, she said.

Sarah Taylor smiled and nodded. Yes, this is Rose and Ann. She said gesturing to her daughters in turn. Girls, this is your Great Aunt Gerta. Rose bit her lip and looked up at her great aunt. This close to her, the girl could see that her Great Aunts eyes twinkled in what she could almost call a starry fashion, like she saw great things in the little girls in front of her. But despite her young age, Rose knew that great things meant great trials. Rose wasnt sure she wanted to do great things if it meant meeting a large, fire breathing dragon up close and personal. Hello Rosie, Annie. Great Aunt Gerta said, nodding her head at each of her nieces. Out of the corner of her eye, Rose saw Annie curtsy like she had once seen in a movie. I am pleased to meet you Auntie Gerta, the little girl said slowly, no doubt copying the same movie Rose was thinking of. May I introduce my dear friend Bunny? Shes a ballerina see? She said, taking Bunny by the arms and bouncing her up and down so that it looked like she was dancing. Great Aunt Gerta laughed softly. Yes, I do see. Well, would Bunny like a cookie? I was just getting ready for tea time. Annies blue eyes grew wide. Youre having a tea party? She asked excitedly. With real tea and cookies? Not water? Great Aunt Gerta nodded, her eyes twinkling even more. Yes, and you are all invited, she said looking over at Rose before glancing up at her parents. Please come in, she said gesturing into the cozy cottage. Mr. Taylor instantly backed up, his hands held palms out in front of his chest. Oh, no, thank you Mrs. Knight. We really must be going. Were going to be a little late as it is. But thank you for watching the girls. Well be back tomorrow around three. Sarah? Mr. Taylor sent a questioning look at his wife. Rose noticed he was already on the path, leisurely walking backwards toward the car. Sarah quickly hugged her aunt and kissed her girls. Have fun you two, and try not to fight too much, she warned before joining her husband in the car. Rose watched as they drove away, waving at them through the window. Now, Great Aunt Gerta said once the car was out of sight behind the tall pine trees, lets go get those cookies. She led them into her house. Rose wasnt surprised when she caught sight of the spindly legged chairs and lacy tablecloths. Water

color paintings of forests in different seasonal colors hung on the walls, some with obvious animal inhabitants, and others with only hints of strange, but beautiful, creatures. Wow, Rose muttered, truly pleased with the warm and cozy feeling of her Great Aunts cottage. She had thought it would be cramped from its small size, but it wasnt. Cluttered, goodness yes, but not cramped. Maybe this wouldnt be so bad after all. Now, Great Aunt Gerta said as the three girls seated themselves around a white covered table all set with petite china cups, polished silver spoons, and one plump, brightly painted teapot, why dont you two tell me about yourselves? What do you like? The older woman asked nicely as she picked up the painted teapot and poured warm tea into three cups. Animals. Rose answered instantly. Im going to be a veterer - a vertrana - an animal doctor when Im all grown up, she said with certainty. Great Aunt Gerta nodded happily. Really? That sounds very nice, wanting to help others. I hope you do well. She encouraged her oldest grand-niece. And you Annie? I like to sing! The little girl cried excitedly. I learned a new song yesterday at preschool. Want to hear it? Then without any more urging she started singing: Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high Like a diamond in the sk- The teapot landed on the table with a startling rattle. The blood had drained from Great Aunt Gertas wrinkled face. Oh, darling no, the older woman cried reaching out to put a shaking hand on one of Annies. Please dont sing that song, not here. She almost begged. Rose and Annie looked at each other worriedly. Rose wondered if she should call 9-1-1. Old people werent supposed to look that pale. Why not? Annie asked in a small voice as she looked at her great aunt with big, blue eyes that wanted to know if she had done something wrong.

Great Aunt Gerta smiled weakly at her as she patted the little girls hand anxiously. It upsets me sweetheart. Its a very sad song. Rose looked at her aunt in confusion. But its just about a star. Hows that sad? she asked. Great Aunt Gerta looked over at Rose. Your mother never told you the story? She asked. Sharing one more look, Rose and Annie nodded slowly. What story? Annie asked, holding Bunny closer than before. The woman in the lavender dress blinked at them once before inching her long legged chair closer to the table. Its the story of your grandmother, the greatest great-great grandmother you have. She was a star, the first one ever to fall out of the sky. Rose cocked her head at her Great Aunt, wondering if she should protest at the ridiculousness of that statement. Little Annies eyes, however, went wide, instantly believing Great Aunt Gerta. Really? Our greatest-great grandma was a star? What happened to her? Great Aunt Gerta settled calmly into her chair, quite recovered from her earlier scare. The saddest thing imaginable, she said calmly. She was quiet for a moment before she went on, hands folded neatly in her lap. Once, when the world had just begun to spin, a young star - the youngest of her heavenly family - fell out of her home in the night sky. Being a very timid thing, and not wanting to fall through space forever with a great tail of fire chasing her as she had seen happen to some of her cousins, the young star fell to Earth instead. She landed with a great crash, Great Aunt Gerta said throwing her hands up, silver rings flashing on her fingers, somewhat startling the girls. She was unused to the gravity which ties all things to the surface of the Earth. It was the first she ever knew of pain as well. The crash stripped her of her outer fire, reducing her to a small ball of light just a fraction of her former, brilliant glory. But even then she was still so fiercely bright and beautiful that no living creature could look upon her without losing their sight. At first the young star was quite thrilled to be able to explore a world where no other star had yet shone. She explored it with giddy glee, taking in the feel of the wind whipping through trees and the damp sea surf as it leapt off the shore. She heard the roar of her earthly cousin fire and the dry rustle of grass as

breezes made each blade dance. And she was the first star ever to hear music. Rose tucked her chin in and gave her great aunt a look that clearly said she was nuts. Youre making this up, she accused blatantly. Great Aunt Greta didnt answer her, only looked at her with one, violet tinted eye like a great, purple bird. Annie didnt even hear her sister. Thats so cool Auntie. From the slanted smile Great Aunt Gerta gave Annie, Rose wasnt sure the older woman knew what cool meant. She continued speaking anyway. I imagine so. It was this last joy that was most precious to her, more than anything else the young star had seen or felt or heard on Earth. It reminded her of her numerous brothers and sisters and cousins all twinkling above her as they lived on in their night sky, fore her family was always singing the most beautiful songs in all of creation. I will go back, she told herself. So she returned to the place where she had first crashed a crater now covered fully with green grass and white flowers shaped like little stars and leapt as high as she could to be welcomed back by her brothers and sisters and countless cousins. Rose heard Annie hold her breath in anticipation. Then she noticed that despite her common sense, she was leaning forward in her seat too. Realizing she was about to fall off, she scooted back in her seat and crossed her arms over her pink and brown tshirt. But she still listened intently even from the back of her chair. But she did not make it. Rose and Annie both blinked at their aunt. Had they heard her right? After returning to Earth, the little star tried again. She gathered herself together tightly and leapt even higher than before, sure she would be caught by her brothers and sisters and cousins to be welcomed home with such song and dance that only stars can conjure. But again, she fell back to Earth, the gravity of the planet too much for her to overcome. Rose looked over at her sister, thoroughly confused by the storys turn. Dont worry, Annie whispered at her. Its just gotta have a happy ending. But Rose still felt uneasy. Puzzled, their aunt continued, the young star paused and thought about what she was doing wrong. I know I am not

jumping high enough, but why? She asked herself. Then she looked down at the large crater covered with grass and flowers and cried out, Ah-ha! I am starting too low. If I jump from the tallest point on Earth then surely I will be able to return home where my family is waiting for me. So she flew to the tallest mountain on Earth - a great monument of stone and fire that stood burning, but never crumbling. The little star thought it was truly the king of the Earth, if such a thing existed. If I leap from the top of this great king there is no chance I will fail to return home, the young star told herself. So with a glad heart, the little star flew to the peak of the burning mountain and, with all her strength, leapt up into the night sky. On and on she flew, higher and higher then her two previous trips combined, and yet she flew even higher still. She soared so high that if she stretched her light out as far as she possibly could, she could just barely brush the light of her siblings and cousins still in the sky. But still the gravity of Earth proved too much for the little star. What? Rose cried out, unable to sit quietly any longer. You mean she still doesnt make it back home? Are you kidding me? Great Aunt Gerta gave her grand niece a steely look. Do you want me to finish or not Rose? She asked calmly. Rose reluctantly closed her mouth and sat back down in her chair, her foot bouncing agitatedly under the table. Great Aunt Gertas face softened with sorrow as she thought over her next words. She fell such a long way. She said, sadly staring at her teacup in front of her. Down, down, down. Falling farther and farther and farther from her dear family. Brothers! The youngest star cried out in desperation when she felt herself beginning to fall. Sisters! Cousins! Catch me! But they could not reach her. Mother! The young star screamed for her mother the moon. Father! She reached for her father the sun. Help me! But they - even they - could not help her. Annie gasped in her chair. How scary, she muttered, clutching Bunny close.

The little star fell, unable to stop herself from returning to Earth. Aunt Gerta went on slowly. No! She screamed, the pain of her second crash nothing compared to the pain of being alone that ripped through her heart. No! She yelled at the sky. Dont leave me down here by myself! Dont leave me all alone! I cant I cant make it on my own. I need you! More than anything I need you with me. Please, please dont leave me all alone, she begged her loved ones still in the sky. We cant reach you. We cant reach. Her brother and sisters and cousins whispered, their own hearts tearing at the sight of their young sister crying so bitterly. Please, the young star pleaded, dont leave me alone like this. No, her mother said, glowing brighter, still trying to reach her child. Never alone. She whispered, caressing her young daughter with moonbeams. We are always with you. Always near. Her father said. Even on the other side of the world the little star could hear his voice and feel the warmth of his rays. Never alone. The young star whispered. Yes. Her mother and sisters said. Always near. She echoed once more. Always. Her father and brothers promised. And then they sang to her - a song so heartbreakingly beautiful and sad that the little star wept - her tears becoming drops of gold on the mountainside. But still the loneliness ate at the young star, even though her brothers, sisters, and cousins sang with her every night, and her Mother caressed her with silver moon beams every evening, and her Father greeted her by name every dawn. Sensing her loneliness and deep sorrow, her Mother the Moon and Father the Sun worried for their lost daughter. We cannot let her live like this. Her heart is bleeding. If she does not heal soon she will die, sad and alone on the Earth. Her mother said to her father one evening as she wrapped the world in silver. I know. We must not let this happen. I know of a way to prevent this, however she will be altered and I do not yet know if this is a good thing. Father Sun replied to his wife the next morning as he gilded the world in gold. Mother Moon perceived her husbands plan and the next evening when they spoke again she said, It is the only way I see

that will not end in sorrow. We must at least show her it can be done. The next morning a miraculous event happened. Both the sun and the moon froze side by side in the sky, all so they might speak with their youngest daughter and show her another way of living. If I do this, the young star asked when she had heard her parents plan, will I lose you? Will I never hear you speak or sing to me again? Not as you hear us now, her father told her. But we will still be with you, her mother reassured her. Never alone, said the young star. Yes, said Mother Moon. Always near, said the young star. Always, said Father Sun. But still the little star hesitated, afraid of losing everything she knew and loved. We do not do this to hurt you, her mother said, seeing her daughters fear. We only suggest this so that you will no longer be alone on the Earth. I know, said the little star, But I do not know if I can live without you. You will not have too, her Father said. So what happened? Annie asked when Great Aunt Gerta stopped speaking. The old woman breathed in deep, loosening herself from whatever memory had enveloped her. What? Oh. Mother Moon and Father Sun used their power to turn their daughter into a human just like us. Really? Annie asked, wide eyed. Great Aunt Gerta gave the little girl a small smile, her glittering eyes dim, but still shining. Really. Rose was in a state of shock. Thats it? She asked incredulously. Great Aunt Gerta looked at Rose oddly. Not entirely, but yes, thats basically it. The old woman said. So she never gets back? Rose asked just to be sure. Gerta shook her head. Nope. Rose looked at her Great Aunt like she was crazy. Even Rose knew that stories like this one were supposed to have happy endings. So she just lives the rest of her life on Earth as a human, just like that?

Essentially. Rose flopped back in her elegant chair. This fairy tale stinks. She grumbled still unable to get over the ending. Great Aunt Gerta pinned her niece with a sharp look. Well, maybe thats because its not a fairy tale Rosie. This really happened. Yeah, yeah, and real life isnt a fairy tale. I know, I know. Rose snapped. As firmly as she didnt like fairy tales, she still desperately wanted to believe that sometimes life was easy and simple like it was in the stories. Great Aunt Gerta cocked her head, birdlike again. Well, yes, yes thats true, she said before taking a long sip of her milk and sugared tea, but sometimes it can be good. Sullenly, Rose looked at her Great Aunt again. How is being alone good? She asked. But she wasnt alone. Gerta said setting her teacup down with a tiny clink. I dont think the sun and the moon count as company, Rose told her. Great Aunt Gerta laughed lightly. No, not them. She said with a smile. Jonathan was with her. Jonathan? Asked Annie, perking up again. Whos that? Great Aunt Gerta smiled at the girls and without answering, stood from her chair and softly walked into the living room. There was the sound of a drawer opening and closing before she returned a few minutes later holding a small, old, painting in her hands. This is Jonathan. She said triumphantly, showing them the picture. It was faded and worn with immense age, but not enough that Rose couldnt make out the young man with dark hair and smiling eyes painted on its surface. He was the first human to meet the star once she became human. She laughed again, the story ensnaring her attention once more. Its funny really. He appeared just after she became human. He saw the moon and the sun hanging in the sky, side by side, and decided to leave the rest of his family to investigate. When he found her, she was staring at her hands Great Aunt Gertas voice trailed off as she stared at her own long fingered hands. It was the first time she had seen them, you see. Then she sighed, her mind taking her far away from the cottages kitchen table. He thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. She sighed again.

Did they get married? Annie asked excitedly, kicking her little feet under the table so that the lacy white tablecloth waved around her knees. Yes, Great Aunt Gerta said, they did. And soon they had children and then later grandchildren and even greatgrandchildren. They were as happy as any two people can be this side of heaven, she said with a wistful smile and a faraway look. So, Rose started, still confused by one thing, the rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle Litter Star? Thats talking about the little star. Thats why you think its sad? She asked her aunt. Great Aunt Gerta nodded. Yes, its the song that her family sang to her when they realized she couldnt come back home. Its not very sad, Annie said putting Bunny up on the table so she could eat her cookie. Now that the story was over she was fast losing interest in her star heritage. Well its changed over time. When something turns old enough its bound to change. What you know is just a shadow of what the song was originally. Great Aunt Gerta told them. Annie nodded distractedly as she daintily crossed Bunnys long, white legs. Great Aunt Gerta noticed the littlest girls growing boredom with a mothers eye. Oh excuse me. She said dramatically putting her hand over her chest. Im not being a very good hostess am I? Oh, I do hope you will forgive me dearest. How about I introduce you to a handsome Mr. Rabbit that lives in my backyard. Would you like that? Annies little mouth dropped wide open. You have a real bunny rabbit? She asked. Oh, I want to see, I want to see! Great Aunt Gerta nodded wisely. Yes I thought you might. Just let me put these tea things up and Ill introduce you and Bunny to Mr. Rabbit. With an eager nod, Annie jumped off her chair, grabbed Bunny by the arm and ran out of the back door. Come on Bunny, lets see if we can find him ourselves! She shouted with glee. Great Aunt Gerta shook her head and smiled at little Annie. Just like my Stella when she was little, she muttered as she picked up her cup and saucer to put it in the sink. Wanting to be nice, Rose picked up her own cup, curiously inspecting the roses and dark green leaves painted on its side. These are really pretty. She said as she handed it to her Great Aunt.

The old woman smiled. Why thank you dearest. My hands may not be as steady as they once were, but I still try. Rose looked up at her great aunt in surprise. You painted these? She asked. Great Aunt Gerta nodded. I painted everything in this house. Lots of time on my hands you see. Rose looked at the cup again in awe. Thats so cool. Can you teach me to do that? She asked eagerly. That made Great Aunt Gerta pause, tap water still running over her long fingers. You really want to learn how to paint china cups? Do animal doctors have time for such things? she asked, sounding incredibly surprised. Feeling self-conscious now, Rose nodded. Yes. I-its pretty. I want to know how. Her great aunt stared at her a while yet, then one of her hidden smiles started to tug at the corners of her mouth, wanting desperately to show itself for what it was; genuine happiness. Very well then. Id like that very much. The older woman said drying her hands on a sky blue towel. But how about for right now you go play with your sister. I think shes doing more damage to my carrots than that rabbit is. Will you go watch her till I get there? she asked. Rose smiled. Yeah okay. Then after carefully placing her cup on the counter next to the sink, she ran off toward the back door. Thank you Aunt Gerta. She called back before dashing out the door. Gerta watched through the small kitchen window as Rose joined Annie in the green backyard. She couldnt help but laugh as the two young girls searched the edge of the yard for Mr. Rabbits hole. Bunny was wrapped around Annies neck. Calmly, the old woman finished putting her tea set in the dishwasher. She hadnt been so sure of the device when she had had it first installed, but she had to admit, if only to herself, that it had its uses. If he was still alive, she knew her husband would have laughed at her admission and said, I tried to tell you. She would have thrown the towel at him and he would have laughed again before apologizing and wrapping her up in his arms to kiss her. Lord, how she missed him. Gerta shook her head, shaking herself out of her reveries. Ah Jon, she sighed, stopping to gently touch the faded picture where it still lay on the table. A bout of girlish shrieks made her look up. Through the glass in the back door, Gerta saw Rose and

Annie chase after a flash of brown-gray fur. The old woman laughed. It looks like theyve found that rabbit, she said to the picture. The rabbit raced back across the yard, the two girls chasing madly after him, laughing all the while, making Gerta laugh quietly to herself as she watched them with bright eyes that still shone like stars after all those long years of living. Almost reverently, she picked up the old painting and placed it on the windowsill, facing outside so that the darkly painted eyes of Jonathan could see his distant granddaughters running around after the rabbit. It was silly, Gerta knew, but it was still a comfort to think he could see them, even now. You know, Im beginning to think theres some hope for them yet darling. The old woman told the painting before laughing at herself and heading into the yard. After all, she had a rabbit to catch.