Chapter 7. A STAR IS BORN

 A STAR IS BORN. (to be read on Dec 27)

(continued from WE HAVE SEEN ANGELS)

- written for children by Aurrsa.

Meanwhile, far far away, in an ancient land of the Orient, a man stood in his balcony, telescope to his right eye, gazing into the sky. An astrologer by profession, he looked for new developments in the celestial domain. Often, a shooting star would thrill his heart.

"Gaspar!!" his sister called out to him from the courtyard below, "Come to have your meal. Its getting late and the servants need to retire for the night."

Gaspar descended the spiral staircase and crossed the courtyard to the dining hall where the remnants of a splendid meal was left on the table. His family had long eaten and gone up to sleep. His sister Jasmine served him, aided by the servant girl and soon he was done. 

He bid goodnight to his sweet sister, kissing her on the forehead, as was the custom. Then he ran up the spiral staircase to his room. 

Sleep alluded him and restlessly he paced up and down the balcony, then looked up at the sky.

A gasp escaped his lips. Was that a shooting star he could see? No, it was moving alright but it did not have a tail. He picked up his telescope. He had never seen a star like it before. 

He ran to his charts to check what the star was and discovered that it was a new star. " A new star," he mulled, "That means...." 

He was suddenly excited. A new star! A NEW STAR!! That could mean only one thing. A NEW KING. Where? And how to find him? 

He looked at the star again. It seemed to be beckoning him to follow it. He followed, in a daze, almost falling down the steps of the staircase. Out through the doorway and into the streets! Then, he shook himself, sure he was dreaming but that star, that star, it was still there. 

It seemed to be heading out westward. Towards the city gates. "I can't leave without telling my people," thought Gaspar. 

He hurried back to his room, wrote a quick note and grabbing his telescope, a bag of gold coins and some food, he made his way quietly to the stable where his favourite stead, Jhanjar, was tied. 

Leaping onto his back, Gaspar rode to the city gates and, amazingly, the star was waiting for him there. As soon as it saw Gaspar, it began to move again. Gaspar and his faithful stead followed, clueless as to where it was going to take them. 

Rest of the story tomorrow, children. Dream of horses and soon you will see camels as well.

#aceseasonofjoy 

#fromtheheartofmapusa 

@copyrightAurrsa