Far away in the land of the night sky, there live many, many stars. Once there was a little star named Twinkle. His mother was a safe-journey star. His father was a get-well star.
You see, each star in the sky has an important job to do.
Twinkle was growing impatient. He didn’t know yet what his star job would be. And Twinkle wished he would have an important job.
Mama Star said, “There, there. You will know your job soon enough, Twinkle.” Papa Star said, “One day you will find the perfect job! Or just maybe, the perfect job will find you.”
Twinkle hoped they were right. Twinkle wished he could be a first-day-of-school star. “I would help children be brave and make friends. I would even help them with their ABCs and 123s!” said Twinkle.
If he didn’t happen to become a first-day-of-school star, Twinkle thought that being a tie-your-shoes star might be nice.
“I would help children learn to tie their shoes and their boots. I would look over them as they learn to make extra-tight knots and bows. I would help children keep from skinning their knees, because they won’t trip on loose shoelaces!” said Twinkle. “Why, I’d even help them learn their left from their right!”
If Twinkle didn’t end up being a first-day-of-school star, and if being a tie-your-shoes star didn’t work out either, he thought that being a learn-to-swim star might be fun.
“If I become a learn-to-swim star, I would help children learn not to be afraid of the water. First they could learn to float, and then they’ll learn to kick and paddle in the water. I would help them learn to breathe as they swim!” said Twinkle. “Oh, that does sound like fun. All that splashing about…”
So Twinkle would dream, wishing for a good star job.
One spring night as Twinkle sparkled in the sky, a little girl way down on earth said, “Look, Mama! I think that star is twinkling just for me! I will make a wish on that star.”
She closed her eyes tight and said, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.” “Mama! Papa!” cried Twinkle. “I heard a wish! I heard a little girl wish for a friend!”
Mama and Papa Star smiled. “You must be a wishing star, Twinkle.”
Twinkle was very happy. “What do I do now?” he asked. “How will I make her wish come true?”
“You will know,” said Mama and Papa Star.
Twinkle sparkled as brightly as he could high over the little wishing girl.
“To make a friend, you must look for someone who needs a friend, too,” said Twinkle. “Just smile and say hello. Share a cookie. Be nice. But most of all, be yourself.”
And Twinkle shone a special burst of starlight just for the little girl.
Twinkle grew up to be the best wishing star. He even has a song of his very own!
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.
