Nova is a little astronaut. Nova is brave, but also a bit shy. Nova whispers, “Hello, space.”
Nova floats into the Crystal Nebula. It shines like glass. Pink. Blue. Soft light, like bedtime.
Nova meets a Star Collector. The Star Collector has a big pouch and careful hands. They count stars the way you count toys.
“Hi,” says Nova.
“Hi,” says the Star Collector. “I collect tiny stars. They keep the nebula bright.”
Suddenly, the light flickers. One bright star is gone.
The Star Collector gasps. “My little star! It fell. We must return it.”
Nova nods. “We will find it.”
They drift past crystal clouds. They hear a hush… shhhh.
A Living Shadow slides between the sparkles. It looks like a dark blanket that moves.
Nova holds the Star Collector’s hand. “I feel scared,” Nova says.
“I do too,” says the Star Collector. “But we can be together.”
The Shadow makes the crystals dim. “No light,” it murmurs.
Nova thinks. Nova is small, but Nova is smart.
Nova taps the helmet light. Click! A tiny beam shines.
Nova says, “Hello, Shadow. Are you lost?”
The Shadow pauses. It wiggles, like it is surprised.
The Star Collector whispers, “It is taking our shine.”
Nova speaks gently. “Maybe it is lonely.”
The Shadow slides close. It does not grab. It only hovers.
Nova points. “We are looking for a missing star. Did you see it?”
The Shadow slowly opens like a curtain. Inside, a bright star is stuck, like candy on a sleeve.
The Star Collector says, “There you are!”
The Shadow trembles. “It was warm,” it says. “I wanted to hold it.”
Nova nods. “Warm is nice. But the nebula needs it.”
The Star Collector pats the pouch. “You can hold something else.”
Nova reaches into a pocket. Nova pulls out a shiny sticker shaped like a rocket.
“For you,” says Nova.
The Shadow looks. The sticker glints.
“Mine?” asks the Shadow.
“Yes,” says Nova. “A gift.”
The Shadow lifts the stuck star out, very slow, very careful. The Star Collector catches it.
“Thank you,” says the Star Collector.
They float to the brightest crystal cloud. The Star Collector places the star back in its spot.
Pop! The Crystal Nebula lights up. Sparkles dance.
The Shadow shrinks, not scary now. More like a soft smudge.
Nova laughs a little. “See? Light!”
The Star Collector says, “Nova, you helped with kindness.”
“And you helped me,” Nova says, squeezing hands.
The Star Collector opens the pouch. Inside are tiny star stones, safe and shiny.
“One reward,” says the Star Collector. “A star stone for your ship.”
Nova’s eyes go wide. “Mine!”
The Shadow whispers, “Can I collect too?”
“Sure,” says Nova. “But we share.”
The Star Collector gives the Shadow a small empty pouch.
The Shadow hums, happy.
Nova puts the star stone by the chest on the suit. It glows like a night-light.
Nova waves at the Crystal Nebula. “Good night, sparkles.”
The Star Collector waves. The Shadow waves too.
Nova floats home, brave and gentle, with a new shining treasure.