The Promise of the Last Star🔊

Once upon a time, in a small village tucked away in the corners of dense woods, lived a little girl named Ava. The villagers were mostly farmers who, besides their daily work, loved gazing at the beautiful and shining night sky. Ava was particularly fond of star-gazing and spent most of her evenings on top of a small hill nearby her home, staring up at the vibrant constellation of stars. Every night, she would pick a star, name it, and make a wish.

One day, a wrinkled and subtle-looking old man visited the village. He was a travelling astronomer who was known from afar for his vast knowledge of the universe. As news of his arrival spread, little Ava, too, was drawn by curiosity to meet the infamous star expert.

Upon meeting, Ava was eager to share her routine of naming stars and making wishes. The old man, intrigued by the girl’s innocence, gave her a puzzling look and said, 'Dear child, do you know about the last star in the universe?'

Ava looked at him, her eyes wide, her mind struck with bewilderment and curiosity. She shook her head gently, signaling she has never heard of such a thing. The old man, then, sat next to her and began telling an ancient tale. He said, 'The last star is the rarest of them all. It moves across the universe, appearing only for the purest and bravest hearts. Making a wish on the last star surely makes it come true.'

An inexplicable tingle spiraled inside Ava's heart. It was now her quest to find this mythical last star and make a wish, the wish she held closest to her heart - to bring rainfall and prosperity back to her famine-struck village.

Relentless days rolled into weeks, and weeks into months, but Ava remained unfazed. Every night, she would climb up the hill, lay on the dew-covered grass, look upwards, and wait for the elusive last star to show up. Her constant perseverance and undying hope became talk, seeding curiosity in the villagers.

Then, on a chilly winter night, Ava noticed a peculiar twinkle in the sky. A star, of an indigo-blue hue, sparkled like none other she'd seen before. Her heart pounded with excitement, 'Could this be the last star?' She whispered the wish for her village into the breezy night air toward the sparkling entity. The star pulsated once as if acknowledging her wish. Then, it moved away, disappearing from Ava’s sight.

Days passed without any sign of Ava's wish coming true, and her optimism began to wane. But one morning, the villagers woke up to a glorious sight. Over the solitary hill Ava used for her stargazing, pregnant monsoon clouds loomed. A cool breeze rustled the drying leaves and, finally, drops of rain started to fall on the parched earth.

Cheers of joy erupted from the villagers as rainfall promised a prosperous year ahead. Ava stood up on her hill, her little heart thrilled by the sight and sound of rain on the thirsty ground. She knew it was her unwavering will and the promise of the last star that had brought her village to life again.

The memory of Ava and the last star became a beloved folklore in her village, echoing the power of hope, faith, and unyielding spirit, reminding its listeners that even the most distant dreams can come true, just like wishes made on the last star.