Moonlight silvered the desert sand. Nima spotted a tiny star lying there.
Nima scooped up the star. “Help me get home!” it flickered. “I will,” whispered Nima.
The star pointed toward the tallest dune. Nima started climbing.
The sand slid backward. Whoosh! Nima grabbed the smooth stone and tried again.
Nima crossed three rippling dunes. A gust blew the star away.
Plop! The star landed on Nima’s head like a glowing hat. Nima giggled and raced after it.
At the tallest dune, the star floated above a dark dip. Nima stepped forward.
The sand crumbled. Nima sat with a soft poof and reached out. “Shine the way!”
The star flashed bright and rose into the little starry sky. Silver light spilled over Nima and the dunes.
The star twinkled from above. Nima waved, then skipped home beneath the moon.