One of the mysteries of creation is the creation of stars. While growing up, whether we have a full moon up in the sky, sometimes stars appear twinkling like a star. I used to pray that I would have a peaceful life like that of the stars up there.
They look beautiful, colorful, and so peaceful. Most times, my siblings and I would sit in front of our house to count the stars to see how many appear in the sky, but unfortunately, none of us knows how many there are. While counting, some stars went dim and then became invisible, and then another star appeared on the other side of the sky. Either one or two also fell and disappeared into the thick dark cloud.
Many stories revolve around the creation and existence of stars. My mum once told us that each star in the sky represents an individual who is alive, and that's why it is impossible to count the stars: no one truly knows how many people God has really created and who are alive and breathing. Adding to this, there are still humans in places where others have never reached, and they are still living.
She also told us that whenever a star falls from the sky, which is called a shooting star, it means someone has died. Anyone who sees it should pray for the deceased and also pray for themselves.
Then she told us that everyone on Earth is a star, but we shine only in our own time. I grew up with these positive thoughts about becoming a star, and I said to myself, "I am a star."
However, I saw something that marveled me one cool afternoon on my way home to run errands for my mum. I was famished that day, and all I could think about was food to eat. After school that day, I went to my mum's shop with my sister.
Immediately we got there, it was as if my mum was waiting for us to come back from school so she could task us. As soon as I greeted her, she responded quickly and then asked me to drop my school bag, change into mufti, and go home to bring something I couldn't recall what it was. I frowned because I was not happy with that, and I reluctantly took the house keys and left, murmuring.
Our house is just across the federal road, but before reaching home, one has to pass a wide football field that belonged to my school back then.
The football field is just a stone's throw from my mum's shop on the other end of the road. Although I was upset because I hadn't eaten lunch, I murmured continuously until I got home and on my way back. I saw something unexpected.
When I got to the field while going back to the shop, I just looked left, and boom, I saw a star!
I saw a star! The same star we see up in the sky was in front of me, and it disappeared into the ground.
I almost fell to the ground because I thought it wanted to fall on me. I was really frightened, and it happened in a few seconds. I couldn't hide my surprise, with my mouth opened wide and looking scared.
I went slowly to the place where it had disappeared, but nothing looked unnatural. I looked around to see if another person was watching as well, but there was no one. It was only me and the vehicles passing on the roadside.
The stars that looked like ants in the sky descended and became bigger in size. Its height was higher than a building, and its width was large like a big tree. I thought it was going to fall on me, but it disappeared immediately after it touched the ground.
The color was close to light yellow and shining. I was speechless. That moment felt unreal. I became fearful because of that experience. I saw a fallen star.
I told my mum as soon as I got to the shop, but mum didn't understand. She thought I was hungry and, as a result, was hallucinating. She gave me lunch immediately and focused on her business.
It took me many months to get over my experience that day. I began to dream about stars, big ones at that. I dreamt that the stars stood in front of me, talking and laughing. I also dreamt about living in the sky and singing while the stars danced around me.
I can't count how many times I imagined seeing a big star since that day. I still went back to the spot the following day, but nothing changed. I even drew a star and hung it on the wall close to my bed in my room.
However, the image I saw is still fresh in my mind. I was wondering how big those tiny little stars I used to see up there were. Anyone I told always laughed in disbelief because it's unreasonable, but I know what I saw. In fact, I wished I had a phone so I could take pictures that day.
I also wished I could touch the fallen star. It's so precious. I wished someone else had been there to witness this miracle. But I was disappointed because no one else was there.
However, I was happy that I saw the biggest star ever in my childhood days. I wished I had another opportunity, and I would show the world how magnificent the star looks.
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