THE TALE OF TEETOO THE LITTLE STAR
By Terry Taffinder Grosvenor ©Jan 16, 2014

In a far away cloud castle, up in the air,
Sat old Mother Moon in her favorite chair.
The sun had come up, and her work was all done.
She said to her children, “It's time to have fun!
Come here, baby stars, you can gather round me.
I've just found some pictures you might like to see,
Of great constellations that climb the night sky,
Where you can see famous stars as they float by!"
One day when you’re older, you’ll stay up all night,
And gleam in the dark with your own special light.
But first, you must leave here - this place of your birth -
To visit our neighbors, the people on Earth,
To look for the person for whom you will shine;
It sounds kind of scary, but you’ll be just fine!”

Mother Moon crooned a tune as the stars went to bed.
She sprinkled stardust over each little head.
They napped in their beds, without making a peep,
Except for young Teetoo, who just couldn’t sleep.
I’ve been in this nursery forever,” he said.
“I’ve got all these thoughts running ‘round in my head;
It’s so boring here - I want to explore -
To find that one person that I can shine for.”
Wise old Mother Moon said, "Now, if this is so...
And you want adventure, perhaps you should go!"

Then old Mother Moon pushed some clouds on the floor
And searched ’til she found one that covered a door.
She opened it wide, but all Teetoo could see
Was darkness that stretched out as far as could be!

The little star jumped backwards, trembling with fear.
Mother Moon said, “Don’t worry… I’ll always be near.”
She whispered, “Goodbye,” as she hugged the star tight.
“Go swiftly, my brave one, you’re ready for flight!”

The star took a huge step and covered his eyes.
He heard a big BOOM that was quite a surprise!
The door of the star-house slammed shut in a wink.
There was no turning back now - no time to think!
He plummeted down, spinning head over heel,
Or point over point, like a five-sided wheel.

He wasn't the only one flying through space;
Orion, the hunter, was out on the chase!
Teetoo make a nosedive past Aries, the ram,
And fell in a sky pool where Pisces fish swam
Ursa, the bear, scooped him up in her paw,
And pitched Teetoo into a dragon's sharp claw.
He said to old Draco, "I really can't stay!"

And slid down the stream of the great Milky Way.
What an adventure - but how would it end?
Teetoo was perplexed, and he looked for a friend.
He called to a shooting star as it whizzed by,
But it disappeared in the blink of an eye.
With no one to guide him, and no help in sight,
The little star drifted, alone in the night.

Then all of a sudden, Teetoo was pulled down,
Through icy, gray clouds, to a field, near a town.
He landed on Earth, with his points in a heap,
But at least, here on land, he could finally sleep.

For weeks Teetoo dozed on the cold, snowy ground,
Until he was sniffed by a wandering hound.
She carried him home to show off her new treat,
And proudly placed Teetoo at her master’s feet.
The man was a shopkeeper, happy and round,
Who said to his dog, “Let me see what you’ve found...
I’ve never seen any star like this before!
I’ve got just the place for it here in my store.”

The drowsy star woke up much later that day,
Surrounded by toys in some sort of display.
He saw flashy stars, unlike any he'd seen;
Their colors were neon - their comments were mean!
“Just look at that horrid thing,” one of them said.
It's shaped like a star, but it's made out of lead.
Observe how its paint job is all dull and pale?
Bet no one would buy it if it was on sale!"

Close by, on the shelf, sat a brown teddy bear.
His body was fuzzy and shaped like a pear.
He, too, had been teased in the same sort of way,
And whispered to Teetoo, “Just ignore what they say.
They all get so silly as Christmas grows near.
If nobody buys them, they’ll sit here all year!
Believe in yourself...that’s what makes dreams come true.
The good that’s within you will always shine through!"

As holiday shoppers pressed in through the door,
A feeling of merriment grew in the store.
The star was amazed as he looked at the crowd.
"Oh, these must be people!" said Teetoo out loud.
"They come in all sizes," he heard the bear say.
"I hope someone buys us...then we'll leave today!"

Teetoo saw a child slumping down in a chair.
It had two big wheels and could go here and there.
An expression of sadness came over his face;
He noticed that each leg was held by a brace.
Hair fell down her back and curled loosely in rings.
She looked like an angel, but she had no wings!”
A few moments later, she spotted the star -
Squished right in between a brown bear and Babar.
Her whole face lit up, as she gave him a grin.
The star felt a spark of light stirring within.
It was an emotion both wondrous and strong,
He knew right away to whom he should belong!
Something magical happened, - his dull points turned white
And glowed, as he said, "Mother Moon, you were right!"

The girl helped her mother; they shopped for a while.
The mother seemed pleased and announced with a smile:
“I’ve found all the presents I had on my list.
Can you think of anything we might have missed?”
Her daughter said, "Mommy, this might sound bizarre,
But all I want now is that little bright star!"
"I've already bought your gifts; it's time to leave...
Said Mother, "You must wait until Christmas Eve!"

A sunny red house, with a frosting of snow,
Had a wreath on its door, and windows aglow.
At seven o'clock, guests began to arrive...
With music and laughter, the rooms came alive.
Young children sang carols and danced in a ring,
And bragged about all the toys Santa would bring.
They rushed to some presents wrapped under the tree
And shook them to try and guess what they might be.
"This could be my doll with a bow in her hair,
And this present's soft; it feels just like a bear!"

Compared to the others, one child seemed quite shy.
She studied the tree, as her eyes looked up high.
“Oh, Mommy,” she cried out, “How thoughtful you are!
You bought what I wanted - the little bright star!”
Her mother said, “I liked the little star, too.
I knew right away it was meant just for you!”

The house became still once the guests had all gone,
But Teetoo stayed up 'til the first light of dawn.
For outside the window, he'd seen a great sight;
Mother Moon and the stars were brilliant that night.

The little girl treasured her favorite toy,
And watching her grow up brought Teetoo great joy.
The seasons changed quickly, and how the years flew!
She had her own children, and grandchildren, too!

The families would gather at grandma's each year,
To share happy memories and holiday cheer.
“You know, I'm the luckiest person,” she’d say,
Because all my loved ones are with me today.”
On top of the tree, perched up high on his throne
Each bright year at Christmas the little star shone.

Until one December, when grandmother passed
Away to the place where good souls go at last,
The grandchildren searched for the little white star,
Now gone from its box in the wooden armoire.
Teetoo left the attic and his home on Earth,
To fly to the star-house - the place of his birth.
“I’m so glad to see you!” old Mother Moon cried.
“Come meet my new children; rest here by my side.
Now you’ll shine forever - you’re faithful and true -
And all the wee stars want to be just like you!”

One night, looking up at the cold winter sky,
A child saw a beautiful star way up high.
It sparkled and twinkled - the night was so clear.
She called to her cousins, “Come, look over here!
That star is like Grandma’s - it’s little and white -
And brighter than all the stars shining tonight!”
The child whispered softly, “When I see this star,
I’ll think of you, Grandma, wherever you are.

Earth to sky, sky to earth, far and yet near...
I feel close to you - as if you were here.
Sky to earth, earth to sky, near and yet far...
Please watch over me when I wish on your star."

For all you stargazers, when you look up high,
You, too, might see Teetoo as he passes by -
Surrounded by billions of stars in the night,
All shining for someone their heavenly light.