STARGAZER
Illustration: by Bernhard Oberdieck
Each night, after the world has gone to sleep,
softness steals like a whisper into Stargazer's bedroom and lifts her gently from her bed. To Stargazer, this always feels like a dream, all fuzzy and muted at the edges, but deliciously thrilling at the same time.
Stargazer grabs her very favorite kitty, Celestine, as she glides up to the open window. She presses her rosy pink cheek against the frosted glass, and gazes up, up towards the sky, eager to catch a glimpse of her sparkly friends.
The Moon, as always, has been waiting. Down drops a moonbeam, unfurling like a streamer at a parade, twirling and dipping this way and that, until finally arriving at Stargazer's window.
As she does every night, Stargazer is ready, and opens the window to step out onto the silky tendril of moonlight. It wraps around her in cosy familiarity and the downward spiral is reversed, carrying Stargazer up to her nightly cradle in the arms of the Moon.
Many people think the Moon is hard and cold, but nothing could be further from the truth. Stargazer always compares the Moon to the softest, downiest pillow ever.
"How do you do this lovely evening?" Stargazer inquires politely, just as she does every evening.
"Quite well now that you have arrived to keep me company." The equally polite Moon seems to shine a little brighter now that Stargazer is there.
That night the Moon carries Stargazer across the vast sky, introducing her to the new stars, teaching her their names, and quizzing Stargazer on those they have already met, their old friends.
They stop and visit Sirius, who, despite his name, always seems to chat about nonsensical subjects.
Then a favored visit to Capella for a lullaby, sung of course, without any accompaniment. Capella's voice is bewitching, and Stargazer cannot resist asking her for an encore presentation the following evening. Capella graciously agrees, smiling her shy smile, and glowing even more intensely with pride.
Tonight will also include a special visit to Andromeda, who is a princess among the stars, and very regal and proper in her manner and appearance. Stargazer and Andromeda are very different and their conversations are always interesting, so tonight's visit is a real treat.
Finally, in the early morning hours, the faintest tinge of pink colors the far horizon, and a delicate yawn escapes from behind Stargazer's tiny hand. Celestine, who has been curled up in Stargazer's lap asleep for most of the evening, opens one eye experimentally, and then turnes herself around twice and settles back down to sleep again.
"Oh my," Stargazer smiles down at the Moon. "Time has gotten away from us again. This was such a magical evening ~ I can never thank you enough!" Her fingers run lightly across the arch of the moon's curve in a loving caress.
The Moon colors lightly in response, and replies gruffly, "Will I see you again tonite then?"
Laughing at the Moon's formality, Stargazer impulsively wraps her arms around his neck and lightly rubs her right cheek against him. "You are my very best friend!" she smiles as he colors even more.
"Off to bed with you now," and the moonbeam wraps her in it's embrace again and transports her safely home.
The next morning Stargazer wakes slowly and stretches her toes and fingertips to opposite ends of the bed. Celestine purrs contentedly beside her.
"I wonder if it was all a dream? .... It must have been!" She turns her head on the pillow and smiles at Celestine, revealing her right cheek which is glowing with a golden radiance.
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