Sparky was so excited! Today was his first day of Shooting Star School. "Hey, Dad, will I learn to be a shooting star just like you?"
"Yes, Sparky, and you'll learn how to use your magic powers to grant wishes for the people on earth. When they see a shooting star, they expect their wishes to come true , you know."
Mother Star was packing his lunch, "Sparky, I'm so proud of you. Someday you'll be a very important shooting star just like your father." She hugged and kissed him.
Sparky wiped his cheek, "Aw, Mom, I'm not a baby anymore! Come on, Dad, let's go; I don't want to be late."
The teacher, Mr. Brightly, showed Sparky how to shoot this way and that way and shine his light so bright, the whole world could see. Sparky learned how important stars were to the people on earth.
Finally, Sparky had learned all he could from Mr. Brightly, "Now, comes the hard part, Sparky. You must learn to open your heart and listen."
Sparky didn't understand, "But Mr. Brightly, I don't have any trouble hearing."
"You'll understand soon, Sparky. Come on, I'll show you your first assignment."
They traveled for hours when Mr. Brightly stopped. There was a house below them. "See that little girl, Sparky? Her name is Cindy. She and her family were in a terrible accident and she hasn't been able to walk since."
Sparky saw a little girl, in a wheelchair, looking up at the stars.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked.
Mr. Brightly explained, "Every night, Cindy's mom takes her outside so she can watch the stars. She's been waiting for weeks to see a shooting star. She has a very important wish. You'll be her shooting star, Sparky, but remember to listen with your heart, not your ears, or you won't be able to hear her wish. And don't forget, your powers only work on the wish she makes, not on what you think her wish is. You're on your own now. I'll be back in a few days to see how you're doing."
The next night, when Sparky saw Cindy, he shot across the sky, then waited and listened really hard. But Sparky wasn't listening with his heart so he couldn't hear what Cindy was wishing for. She looked so sad, sitting there. "I know her wish has to be to walk again so I'll just use my magic powers to make her walk."
It didn't work! Cindy just kept sitting there, looking so sad, until her mother came back outside to get her.
The next morning, Cindy and her mom left in the car. Sparky wondered where they were going so he followed them. 'It's the hospital.' Sparky thought. 'I wonder what's going on?' He peeked through the windows until he found them. A little boy was lying in bed and he looked like he was sleeping. Cindy was holding his hand and crying.
Sparky's heart was aching for them, but suddenly he could hear every word they were saying! "So that's what he meant when he said listen with your heart!"
Sparky was so excited but then he realized what Cindy was saying. "Mommy, why won't Tommy wake up? He's been asleep so long."
"He will, Cindy, we just have to be patient." Cindy's mom looked so sad.
That night, Sparky was waiting when Cindy came out. He shot across the sky so brightly, he just knew everyone could see!
"Oh, how beautiful!" Cindy cried. "I have a wish Mr. Star. I want Tommy to wake up. I miss him so much and Momma's so sad all the time, now. Please, Mr. Star!"
Sparky worked his magic powers and suddenly Cindy's mother ran outside! "Cindy, the hospital just called. Tommy's awake! Let's go!"
The next morning Mr. Brightly came back. "Well, I see you've learned how to listen, Sparky. I'm very proud of you but it's time to go home now. Your job is finished here."
"But what about Cindy? She still can't walk! I can't leave yet!" Sparky wasn't ready to go home yet.
"That's not why you were here, Sparky. You did your job, now some other star will take care of Cindy."
"No, I'm not leaving!" Sparky crossed his arms and would not budge. "Please, Mr. Brightly, just let me stay a few more days."
"Okay, Sparky, but I'll be back in two days. If nothing has happened by then, you must come home."
Sparky waited all that night but no one came outside. The next night, he'd almost given up hope when Cindy's mother came outside. "Cindy's sure her wish is what woke Tommy up and I'll try anything to make my Cindy walk again. So, come on shooting star, where are you?"
Just then, Sparky danced across the sky! He was so happy!
"Oh, how I wish my Cindy could walk again! I want her and Tommy to run and play together like they used to. Please, let my wish come true ."
All of a sudden, she heard Cindy calling her. "Mommy, Mommy, hurry! Look, I can walk! I can walk!" She turned around and Cindy was standing in the door!
Sparky was so happy, he had tears in his eyes. "I love being a shooting star!"
The next day, Mr. Brightly came to get Sparky. "Are you ready to go home now, Sparky?"
"Yes, let's go, but Mr. Brightly, when do I get to do this again?"
This is wonderful! I can't believe that it's not published yet! I actually had tears for little Cindy and Tommy and their mother and evenfor Sparky! Very good write!
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