THE STELLAR ONE

When the universe was young the sky was filled with planets, and stars, and stardust, and many many rocks.
One of these rocks was a bit more special than the rest. She was unlike any that came before her. She was a
kind and happy rock, who always floated near a big blue planet. Sometimes when the light hit her surface, she
would glow a brilliant green. At times like those, she almost didn't look like a rock at all. As the sky moved from
day to day, and week to week, the rock would see planets far off in the distance. She would wonder what it would

be like to go to them. Week after week and month after month she would wonder. Until one day she decided to go
find out. The rock had never gone anywhere before and wasn't sure how to go about it. She started to rock back and forth.
Then she started to spin. Soon enough, she was flying through the sky. As she left, clouds swirled on the big blue
planet. For it was sad to see her go, and when planets cry there is a rain storm. At first the rock was not good at
moving. She would spin too far to the right or too far to the left. Slowly she learned how to travel whichever direction

she liked, and she enjoyed exploring space. She saw a planet filled with water, with not a speck of land.Then
found a planet all dried up, with beaches made of sand.She swore she met a planet who looked suspiciously like
her.And then she saw a planet that was, well she was not sure. One planet she discovered, had grown forests made
of green.Another one was very shy, not fond of being seen.She flew right by a planet, that was frozen icy cold.
And then she saw a planet that was made of jewels and gold!She had started to notice that each planet seemed brighter
than the last. They were all so different and all so pretty. It became hard for her to decide where to go next. If each planet
she visited was more beautiful than the one before it, then how could she decide which way to go next, and how could she decide where to stay.

So she continued traveling, afraid to miss a single planet. Eventually she came upon the big blue planet that she had once
circled, but she found that is was not the same. It was shining in a way that it never had before. It was more blue than it
had ever been, and certainly more beautiful. This made her stop for a moment. I do not know where I should go next
she said out loud. Each direction is filled with wonderful planets. And I cannot stop, knowing that the next planet will
be even more beautiful if I continue on. Even my big blue planet has grown more beautiful every day in my absence.

The big blue planet overheard this. Can you not see why I am brighter it asked.You are the brightest planet I have ever
seen," she said, "but I do not know why you glow brighter today than you did when I left you."You have brightened me
it said. But I am just a rock she replied. You are no longer just a rock like the day you left me, said the big blue planet.
You have grown bold and bright. Now you are a shooting star, and you are the reason that I shine. And while you are
worrying about which direction to go, all of the planets in space are hoping that you will come their way to brighten them.

And so the shooting star, who was no longer just a rock, finally understood. It did not matter where she went, the light
was her own. So the rock sat there for a moment, by the bright blue planet and wondered. Should I keep traveling,
or should I fly around the big blue planet and grow brighter with it each day.She thought, until she knew exactly what to do.

By: Terre Duprer Facebender