I wish upon a star

No one could have guessed that night sky can be so light. Every star around me is shining the most beautiful silver glow. Watching the humans from above. Listening to their dreams and biggest desires. I used to do that too. That is our job after all.

           People sleep tight, dream of their beloved ones or family members. They accomplish their goals, laugh, love, and then wake up in the middle of climax. I look around. This is getting boring.

           Woman kept swirling around in the bed. Tension from the day, arguing with close ones gets to her even at night. I blew some of mine dusts towards her. She wakes up in cold sweat and starts crying. Weak. Ungrateful.

           Just what daylight is doing to these people. Why we must always save these wimps from nightmares. Why we must always look after them and care for them. And why must the sun enjoy their actual lives. Why is she the only one who can watch them dance, work talk with each other. And we get people who we cannot even help. I am bored to watch them sleep.

           We move around the world. Guardians of night. We circle same places get used to the same faces. Sometimes I choose one person and watch him through his whole life. I grant his dreams. And at night listen to his grateful prayers for god. Ungrateful prayers to me. I will not grant wishes anymore. I waste my dusts, my magic on what? On people thanking their fate, which is nothing more than a silly chance or a silver dust in his way.

“Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” This woman sure knows how to get my attention. It is odd seeing a young adult wishing for a miracle. “I wish for my family to be healthy. For my nephew to grow into a fine young man. I wish there were not so much anger and people would get kinder. Thank you, starlight, for watching over me tonight.” This is interesting. Silly woman, I cannot grant something so vague. But I shall watch over you and protect you from nightmares.

           Time after time I come back to watch this woman. Every single time she wishes upon a star for people kindness, begs for forgiveness, thanks for the smallest chances. Eventually a young man came along. Watching over her as well. Caring for her. Protecting her.

“Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. I wish my son, would grow big and strong and no harm would come along. I wish he would see the light and thank his lucky star. Thank you for watching over me tonight. Please watch over us from now on.” She stood behind a window as always. Her stomach was so big. Young man hugged her from behind. For a moment I met her eyes. I wonder what it is like to hug someone. I cannot grant a wish so vague, but I will watch over all of you. Sleep tight.

           Something is wrong. So many humans are awake. But it is the middle of night. The darkest night when we shine the brightest. People are crying, begging the lord for the mercy. No dreams, no wishes upon a star. Something went terribly wrong.

           Woman stood behind the window, saying her prayers as always. In a single night, her face grew older.

           People are dying. I circle around and come back to the same place. Human fall extremely ill and fall into grave. Stars are granting wishes, granting dreams. Thousands of them burn out and without a single dust get erased from existence. I will not be granting wishes. But I will make exception only for you. Ask me anything.

           Woman stood at the same place. She held a small human in her hands. She was smiling as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I thank you for giving me this miracle. I thank you for watching over us. I thank you for giving this life to me. I shall never take it for granted.” She swings the baby softly in her hands. But I did not do anything. I promise, I shall grant you a wish someday.

           Time passes by, people pass away. In their dreams and prayers every single star hears this word “plague”. This word takes away thousands and ignores all the wishes. If only we could ignore all the wishes.

           Woman aged so much. She got a lot thinner; her face was as pale as my dusts. Hands were trembling holding the candle.

“Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. I wish for you to save my beloved one. He fell ill, he needs your miracle. I wish I beg for your greatness one more night. Give him time, don’t take him away from me.” I looked upon the man who used to hug her so tight, who used to protect her each night. And look after her each day. My dearest friend, I cannot help him anymore. Death is staring into his soul. I shall grant him a calm sleep tonight. I am sorry, my dusts are useless this night. I shall grant your wish next time.

           From this night on, the young man was gone. My dearest cried her eyes, holding little boy close to heart. I cannot feel, I am a star. But every time I see her, I beg for forgiveness, for being so useless to you. And each night as you thank me, I grow stronger, brighter, to grant your wishes someday.

           Time is barbarous. It kills off humans like ants in the playground. There are bodies on the streets, prayers in the grief. My precious friend is standing by the window. Thanking her lucky star. For what? I could not even save her beloved one. She was no longer alone. An elderly woman was by her side. She addressed her as mother. As tragic passed she still thanked me every night. This night her wishing was awfully quiet, but I will hear every single word you say.

“Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. I wish, I beg you, don’t take my baby from me.” She kneeled behind the window and sobbed. I looked at the child laying in the bed. Dreaming of his father hugging him tight. The same death was staring right back at him. I cannot help this child.

           Time passes, boy falls more ill. This night was lonely. Only an elderly by the bed singing to her grandchild.

“Sugar bean, grow big, grow strong. My star, my moon, let this boy live lifelong. The sun, the cloud, make the days for him millions of minutes long. Shall never approach you, no harm, nor wrong. “I don’t see my lady. Where is my lady?

           The nights get lonelier. I must never forget the way looked and smiled my precious friend. Maybe tonight I shall see her behind window.

“Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” I hear from the house, but I cannot see her. “I wish, I beg, save my child from the plague.” Her voice was so weak, she coughed. “Thank you for watching over me for so long. Thank you for all the wishes you grant me. Thank you for all brightest nights you brought me. But it’s time for you to look after my precious son.” Her voice was so soft. She was talking so quietly, but, my dearest friend, I heard you. I will look after your son.

           New bright star appeared beside me. My beloved friend is gone. No more wishes with her voice. I only have a promise I cannot keep. To grant you someday a wish. But this boy you loved so much. I cannot save him.

           A small ball of gas appeared near me. Poor thing. She gathered all her dusts and shot them at the boy clinging to his life. Every single shining grime flew to the boy and with no light left, the star was erased from existence. In a moment notice she ruined her existence. What a silly thing. Trying to save boys life. Another empty spot beside me. How silly of her. She did not gathered dusts from dreams, from wishes and disappeared from foolishness. And of course, her dusts were worth nothing. She did not even get this poor kid fever down. How silly. How unholy. Even among old stars, this boy has no chance. How human like, of my beloved friend, to try save her sons life. I shall at last try and grant you your wish.

           I gathered all my dusts I saved for centuries. These dusts listened to millions of people, gifted thousands of dreams. Tonight, I will grant yours. I will be erased as well. After all, stars do not have so much power, to save a human from death. But I am willing to be erased, just to save this child. Just to grant you a wish.

           I blew all my dusts onto the boy.

           It is dark. I have never been surrounded with so much darkness. My light is so weak. I can no longer see the people or the earth. I feel heavy. At last I can feel. I am tired. Is it my time to get erased? Something is pulling me down. Is it gravity? I get faster and faster and smash with incredible power onto the ground. Everything hurts.

           I open my eyes. Night sky is so beautiful. My home, my place. I am so tired. Everything is getting dark. After decades and centuries, it is my time to rest.