Lumi pushed through the tall forest ferns and stopped. Something silver was tangled in the roots — glowing like a fallen star.
He knelt and tugged at the branches. His small fingers scraped the rough bark. The star pulsed once — weak and sad.
A rabbit appeared. Then a fox. Then a squirrel. They blinked at the fallen star. "We need to help it get home," Lumi whispered.
The fox trotted ahead, nose to the ground. Lumi followed, hands cupped gently around the star, searching for the way home.
Three sets of glowing footprints shimmered on the forest floor — silver, gold, and soft green — leading onward through the dark woods.
They reached a crystal-clear river. The water sparkled like scattered sugar under the moon. Lumi stepped onto a floating log.
The fox balanced on stones. The rabbit hopped on the log. But the star wobbled — it nearly slipped into the water!
Lumi caught it just in time. The star pulsed brighter, safe in his hands, and they kept moving.
At the base of the tallest hill, thorny branches blocked the path. They scratched Lumi's arms as he pushed through.
The squirrel scampered up and bit at the thorns until they snapped apart with a loud crack.
Lumi carried the star over the last stone. His legs ached, but the star glowed brighter with every step.
Lumi reached the top and lifted his arms high. The star was heavy and warm against his chest. The forest creatures cheered from below.
The star shot upward with a sound like wind chimes. It painted the sky in streaks of silver and gold.
Lumi stood on his tiptoes, watching it settle into place. The star blinked down — just once. He grinned, his scuffed shoes planted firm on the hilltop grass.
