When Stars Fell
Nestled at the edge of the King's forest, a small village named Cressida thrived, known for its gleaming waterfall and humble denizens. Among these humble folks, there lived a boy of 12 years, Eli. He was absorbed by the night's sky, the constellation, the twinkling stars, and the mysteries they held.
Eli was an orphan, raised by the villagers. He worked for the baker, Mr. Crumbly, who was kind-hearted and treated Eli as his own. One sparkling night, when the stars were at their brightest, the village was thrown into chaos by a boisterous roar and a shaking earth. The night sky lit with a fiery glow, and a star plummeted from heaven, disappearing at the edge of the King's forest. Eli watched in wide-eyed awe, a feeling of determined curiosity washed over him. He wanted to find the fallen star.
The next morning, Eli approached Mr. Crumbly with his intentions. With a worried frown, Mr. Crumbly gave reluctant permission, supplying him with a satchel full of bread loaves and a firm hug before he embarked on his journey.
Creeping into the King's forest was like stepping into another world. The canopy of lush greens blended, the chirping song of hidden birds filled the air, and hidden critters scampered away, curious of the new entrant. Guided only by the vague direction of the fallen star, Eli veered deeper into the forest with his heart pounding against his chest.
Days rolled into one, stretching into nights. The myriad of calls from the wild, the heart-stopping howls and hoots made Eli understand the enormity of his quest. He was just about to abandon the idea when he stumbled upon the fallen star.
It was not a star, not as he knew it, anyway. The fallen star was a girl, no older than him. She was radiant, her skin shimmering slightly, her hair delicate silver strands flickering with tiny sparks. It was then Eli knew he had found a Star Child, said to descend from the heavens only once in a millennium.
Startled and equally amazed at the sight of a human, the Star Child introduced herself as Astra. Eli promised to help Astra return to the sky, his resolve fuelled by a strange, new friendship that bloomed between them.
The journey back was far from easy. A terrible curse weighed heavy on Eli's promise. A Star Child on the ground was a sign of bad luck, attracting the darkest and most fear-inducing creatures of the forest.
Combating fear with courage, Eli and Astra managed to overcome the lurking threats. Astra possessed the power to manipulate light, casting illusions, and projecting blinding rays. This power, in tandem with Eli's quick-thinking, got them out of potential death traps.
Back at Cressida, the villagers stood astounded at the sight of Astra. They were initially skeptical, fearing the Star Child’s presence would invite wrath from the heavens. Eli reassured their nervous hearts, promising to guide Astra home. Mr. Crumbly, although dumbfounded, was immensely proud of Eli's valor.
Word of Astra's presence quickly traveled to the King's castle. Intrigued, the King granted Eli and Astra an audience. Eli, not letting the grandeur and opulence of the castle overwhelm him, humbly submitted his request. The King, sceptical of the existence of Star Children, agreed to help but demanded proof.
For the first time, Astra unveiled the full extent of her powers before non-believers. The hall lit up, bathed in the brilliant aura of Astra's light, leaving the King and his courtiers shocked. Apologizing for doubting them, the King ordered his craftsmen to build a catapult, Eli's idea of sending Astra back to the stars.
The next day, Eli watched as Astra, sitting in the giant catapult, faced the day for the last time. Anxiousness held the breath of everyone present, including the King. As the craftsmen pulled the levers, Astra soared through the sky in a trail of glittering sparkles. A collective sigh echoed across the crowd as the night sky accepted Astra, the stars flickering a little brighter, perhaps in joyous reunion.
Eli's heart ached with a bittersweet emotion, etching the adventure with a fallen star in his heart forever. He grew up to be a storyteller, recounting his extraordinary adventure to the awe-filled people of Cressida, leaving behind tales of bravery, friendship, and the unforgettable moment when humans helped a Star Child return home. Cressida's legacy was no longer its waterfall, but the story of the boy who befriended a Star Child, and the villagers who helped a star get a heavenly home. Time turned, stars twinkled, yet Eli's legendary story stayed vivid in the hearts of Cressida, a glowing memory of the time 'When Stars Fell'.