OK, so maybe I’m not yet ready to have those thrilling conversations with creative folks about why they do what they do. Something is holding me back and I suspect it has to do with the fact that I am not creating much myself. So…I’m writing today for the first time in weeks. And I’m going to try to write every day, even if just a few words. Today, I’m writing a second draft of a children’s story I’ve been working on for months. Basically, I want people (both kids and adults) to feel like they don’t have to be perfect in order to shine. I’d love to hear some feedback!
The Star Lighter
Oliver is a star lighter, fresh from the famous Star Lighters Academy. And just like all of his fellow lighters, Oliver’s mission is to fly across the universe in search of stars whose light has dimmed.
(Illustration note: Oliver receives a call while flying his space jet)
“Oliver,” said star command, “we need your help. All of the stars in the Milky Way Galaxy are beginning to go dark. I know this is your first mission, but you are the closest lighter to the galaxy and we must act quickly or else every star could go dark in hours. If you can reignite just a few stars, other stars will remember that they too can shine brightly and we will illuminate the sky.”
“Star command, Oliver here. I’m on the case.”
“Thank you, Oliver. And good luck.”
(Oliver travels through space to the Milky Way).
“Oh, hello,” said the first star he approached. (star looks meek and sad). “Did star command send you?”
“Yes, nice to meet you. My name is Oliver and I’m here to light your fire!”
“Hi, Oliver. I’m Canis Majoris. Like I told space command, nobody wants to see my plump celestial body illuminated in the sky. Please, just let the darkness wash over me and protect me from the universe.”
“Well I think you have a heavenly body! The bigger you are, the brighter you shine!” yelled Oliver as he soared past the star and reignited its flame with his torch. “You are far too beautiful to hide in the darkness.”
(The star smiles broadly as another star winks at it)
Just then, a dark shooting star flew past Oliver on its way to a neighboring galaxy.
“Wait!!!” yelled Oliver as he chased after it. “What’s your name?!”
“I’m not important enough for a name!” it yelled back.
“Can I at least light your fire before you go?”
“Not yet! I have to first set a speed record around the universe and then I’ll finally be good enough for the other stars to notice me. Right now, I’m a nobody!”
“But don’t you realize you are enough already?” asked Oliver. “Just look at how fast you are. You don’t need to set a record for stars to notice you!”
(Oliver catches up to the star and lights it up)
“Look how you shimmer and shine!” he yelled as the star’s light soared across the galaxy.
(The star slows down and smiles)
“Can you call me Essy?” asked the shooting star.
“Essy it is!” said Oliver, as a group of shooting stars asked Essy to join them.
“Don’t waste your time with me,” yelled a timid star moving toward a black hole. “I mess everything up. The other stars tell me I do it all wrong and ruin the night.”
“Oh Sirius, that’s because you are the brightest of all the stars. Don’t dim your light to make others feel better. Shine proudly, light up the galaxy, and show everyone what’s possible!”
(Oliver reignites Sirius and it lights up the night sky. The other stars look on with wonder and amazement and begin shining far brighter than they had before.)
“Well done, Oliver,” said star command. “Well done. You have saved the stars of the Milky Way Galaxy.”
“Thank you, star command, but they have saved themselves. I just showed them how.”