The Star Saved for Last — Before the moon camp woke, Bram set himself a tiny challenge: trim the whole evergreen with every ornament except the silver star in his pocket. Read the full story →
Before the moon camp woke, Bram set himself a tiny challenge: trim the whole evergreen with every ornament except the silver star in his pocket. The camp heater ticked through his suit, tick-tick, and the rocket behind him smelled faintly of warm dust and metal. He hung striped bulbs, clipped little lights, and balanced the gold star on top. The silver star stayed hidden against his glove, cold and smooth.
Then a soft crackle came from the supply crate. A moon moth, no bigger than a thumb, bumped the lid again and again, drawn to the tree lights but too dim-eyed to find the open latch. Bram looked toward the sleeping tents. Nobody was watching. “Here, tiny pilot,” he whispered, and tied the silver star to the crate handle, where it flashed like a small doorbell.
The moth followed the glimmer out, fluttered once around Bram’s helmet, and vanished into the dark. Ever since, moon trees keep one extra star low on their branches, not for showing off, but for anyone small who needs a way home. If you spot the star in Bram’s hand, keep his secret: it was saved for last, just like at the start.
