Wishing Upon the Star: A Short Argument 👩‍👧‍👦🧚✨
Nancy smiled as she watched her brother position his hands like he was about to say the Lord’s prayer. She noticed his eyes were firmly closed and his lips were moving. She wondered what he was up to. They were having fun under the bright moon that night, and suddenly, like he was controlled by a remote, Sam, her brother, assumed the solemn posture.
“What are you up to, boy?” Sam could only smile at his sister’s question and suspicion, knowing she is young and may not understand what he just did. “I just wished upon a falling star, my dear,” he replied with a mocking tone. “Whatever that was, I’ll do that to you every time we play. You just turned ghost and it was shocking. Don’t do that again; you hear me, my boy?”
As Nancy replied with the usual funny taunt that her brother was already used to, Sam quickly replied, “at least your boy is three years ahead of you.” Nancy could only reply with a pout, although she knew her elder brother was right.
“Anyways, wishing upon a star is...” Like a sudden cutoff in power supply, Nancy interrupted her brother, “don’t tell me what it is; I think I figured that out already. I’m younger than you, but I’m not dumb, durh.”
Although Sam was still in his early teenage years, he had heard his father talk about age just being a number unless there was something to show for the years lived. “I think my dad is not wrong; this girl seems way smarter; I need to do better,” Sam said to himself.
Like a spirit whispering in his ears, he felt he should confirm that Nancy got the meaning. “Nancy, tell me what you understood from what I just did; what’s wishing upon a star about?” Sam asked.
“Before I tell you, if I get it right, you’ll do the dishes tonight, and if not, then I’ll do your chores for the night.” Nancy replied. “What have I gotten myself into?” Sam said to himself. He knew he was already in trouble, and this could turn out to be his most hectic night, should Nancy get the meaning.
Sam nodded in agreement with Nancy’s request as he reluctantly awaited his fate for the night. “Wishing upon a start means praying—wait,” Nancy paused. Like an accused awaiting trial, Sam was already disturbed and wondering what could have made her pause.
“If I get this right, you will do the dishes for the whole week, and if not, I’ll do your chores for the week. Agreed?” As Nancy finished her statement, Sam couldn’t believe his ears. He believed Nancy was going to get it right, and he knew if he backed out, Nancy would never stop teasing him.
“Okay, go on.” As Sam reluctantly agreed, he was already preparing his mind for a busy week.
“Well, as I was saying, wishing upon a star means praying to God anytime one is playing with one’s friends or any other person, and this must be done at night anytime there’s a moon. Please make your way to the kitchen to start washing the plates.”
As Nancy concluded her statement, Sam couldn’t believe his ears. He jumped like he had just won a medal and laughed at her concluding statement. “You should actually be the one to start worrying about how much work you have on your table for this week,” Sam replied.
Sarah, their mother, was watching from afar and could hear all they were saying. She could only laugh as she listened to the conversation between her children. “Mummy, Sam is cheating again. I got the answer to a riddle, but he said I was wrong.” Nancy ran to her mother, reporting Sam.
As Sam chased after her and got to where their mom was, he had a feeling he was about to be cheated but still decided to tender his thoughts. “Nancy, tell mom what you said wishing upon a star meant. I’m not even going to argue with you.” After Sam’s suggestion, Nancy explained to her mother.
“Nancy, you should show your brother some respect; he is not just older than you but also wiser. There are things you don’t know, and he does. I overheard all your discussion, and your explanation was wrong.” Sarah said.
Sam felt his sister was going to escape the punishment of having to do his chores, but he was happy that their mother could buttress the need for respect after all. Just as he was about to leave the scene to fix his chores, his mother called him.
“Sam, I am not done. Although I sense you’ll want to let go of the agreement between you guys because I am involved, here is my decision. For tonight, Nancy will do your chores and henceforth give you the respect you deserve. But first, you have to tell us what wishing upon a star means to you, or the deal is off.” Sarah said.
With a broad smile and like a victor about to make his speech, “wishing upon a star means making a wish or request about something you desire when you see a star falling from the sky,” Sam replied.
Like a proud parent at her child’s award ceremony, “that’s my boy; I’m proud of you. Nancy, he is your elder brother, and henceforth you’ll give him the respect he deserves; he is not your boy, understood?” As Sarah made her statement, Nancy nodded in compliance as she frowned and left the scene to deal with her chores. “I couldn’t have hoped for a better way to end my day.” Sam said to himself.