My First Children's Book

the original title of this one was "A Special Star", written for a Christmas writing competition in 2004 and won 3rd Place for best short story in english.

Hours before Christmas, Marie was lying on her bed and staring at the window. She was holding a locket strung around her neck. She treasured her necklace so much, it was her only possession.

Marie’s longing to celebrate Christmas that night grew stronger. She was an orphan.

She remembered what her mother used to say to her about stars, that some special stars made wishes come true. There was something really important she wanted to wish for, but it seemed to be impossible. But whenever she remembered her mother’s voice, she also realized that she has not given up her dream to find that special star.

But it seemed that she cannot find one. Every night she looked up to the sky hoping to see that special star. She scanned every corner of the sky, though she had no idea what it looked like. For her, all stars looked the same. But she patiently waited and watched the sky for that special star to pass by.

Marie was actually a very sick girl. That night she was so ill that she could not even stand up and walk. She could only stare at the window and the Christmas tree beside the infirmary door. It had colorful tinsels, bells, plastic red poinsettia and colorful Christmas Lights. But what really captured her eyes was the shining star at the top of the Christmas tree, as if it was lighting the Belen under the tree.

Marie was still feeling sad and sick. She held tightly her locket strung around her neck. Nurse Nina looked on her and smiled. After she drank her medicine she asked

“Ate Nina, is there such thing as a special star?” Marie asked.

“Hmmm… what do you mean?” Nurse Nina smiled.

“A star… a special star that could make wishes come true?”

“Ahhh… is that what you want? Yes, I believe there is!” Nurse Nina winked at Marie.

“Could you tell me more about that special star?”

Nurse Nina pulled a chair and placed it beside Marie’s bed. Both of them looked at the Christmas tree.

“See that star at the top of the Christmas tree? That is one special star. A long time ago, three magi wished to see the true King. When they saw that star, they made a wish to bring them to the true King. And they followed that special star. And true enough, that led them to a manger where a child was sleeping on her mother’s lap.”

“Just like the child under the Christmas tree?”

“Yes, that special star guided the three magi who lost their way and found the true King.” Nurse Nina brushed Marie’s hair gently.

Marie wanted to listen to lively songs of the children carolers outside. Nurse Nina set up her bed near the window.

“Get well soon, sleep tight.” She tucked Marie then she kissed Marie on the forehead and said goodbye.

An hour past, then suddenly there was silence. While she was lying in her bed, there was a bright shining glitter in the sky. It was the first and the brightest star she had ever seen in her life. A tear dropped in Marie’s eyes as she watched that bright shining star.

“I don’t know if you are the one I am looking for… but I hope you could grant my wish…” she opened her locket and saw the picture of her mother whom she hadn’t seen for a long time. Then she took a deep breath and made her wish.

“I wish to see and embrace my mother again.”

She closed her eyes and she felt that the bright star in the sky grew even brighter as she completed her wish. She finally fell asleep. In her sleep she dreamt of the most wonderful dream in her entire life. She saw her mother again, after that fateful night when their house was washed away by a storm. She dreamt her mother was embracing her and singing her to sleep.
When she woke up the next day she felt suddenly well. Then she saw smiling and glowing faces around her. And she noticed the many gifts under the Christmas tree. It was Christmas morning. All the kids in the orphanage went to visit Marie.

“Merry Christmas!” all the children exclaimed.

The Children lined up to receive their presents. Nurse Nina was distributing the gifts. Marie was the last one to receive a gift. Nurse Nina gave a tiny little box wrapped in a colorful lace.

“Merry Christmas Marie!” Nurse Nina smiled at Marie

Marie opened her gift, and to her surprise it was a small silver star pendant. She saw Nurse Nina wink at her.

In her memory she kept her mother’s sweet smile glowing warmly and brightly. That memory she promised to keep forever, for a special star made her wish come true one Christmas Eve.