Lumi Lynx switches on another lamp. And another one. Suddenly, there’s a pop, and the nightlight turns on all by itself. Right in the middle of building blocks and picture books, Lumi stops and whispers, “Please don’t be dark.” Little star points sparkle on the ceiling like chalk on blue paper.
Lumi pulls the blanket up to her nose and peeks over at the nightlight. The star points slowly come together. A lynx made of light with a long tail appears on the ceiling. Lumi is amazed and scoots a little out of bed. In the quiet house, the clock only goes: tick, tick. The gentle glow moves toward the door.
With the nightlight in her paw, Lumi tiptoes to the open door and peeks into the hallway. In the shadows, a coat hook first looks like a giant antler. Lumi jumps back. Then Lumi quietly blows and has to giggle. It’s just Mama’s scarf and a hat. The wood creaks friendly under her paws.
Lumi follows the constellations a little through the quiet house. Suddenly, a sparkling fish made of light swims to the dresser on the wall. “Hello, night fish,” whispers Lumi, stroking the cool wall. The darkness is not empty at all. It is full of soft pictures. Then the nightlight flickers briefly.
Lumi stays very still. The nightlight flickers once more, and the constellations disappear. The hallway becomes gray and big. The clock sounds much louder now. Lumi presses the little switch, but nothing happens. Then Lumi lifts the nightlight high and says bravely, “I will find the way anyway.” Just then, real starlight falls through the window and paints a bright stripe back to the bed.
Lumi follows the stripe of starlight, climbs into bed, and places the nightlight next to the pillow. Now it dots a few calm points back on the ceiling. Lumi smiles into the quiet night. Outside, the forest rustles far away. This time, Lumi only leaves the little stars on until her eyes close.
