Calamity Kate and the Mysterious Starlight
by
Thomas
A story about Anxiety
for your 4th Grader.
Calamity Kate adjusted her worn leather boots, then rested an old straw hat over her dark hair. The sun was low, setting the desert ablaze with gold, and she could feel an exciting hum in the air. Each time the wind stirred the sagebrush, it felt like a whisper inviting her to watch the sky for a surprise.
Meanwhile, Zibloo peeked out from behind a towering yucca plant, antennae quivering with curiosity. The little alien loved studying Earth’s sky, and tonight he sensed something strange was about to happen. He pressed a bright green hand against the sandy ground, feeling the gentle tremor of possibility.
The old corral creaked in the evening breeze, each wooden plank etched with the marks of many seasons. Some boards smelled faintly of fresh hay, bringing memories of calm, grazing horses under the moon.
Calamity Kate spotted a peculiar glow tracing the horizon, like dancing fireflies in the sky. Her heart pounded a little faster, and an uneasy shiver tiptoed through her. Yet she told herself it was all right to feel uncertain, because even cowgirls have worries sometimes.
Zibloo grabbed a small star-map from his pocket, then scanned the heavens through a swirly, futuristic lens. He noticed bright patterns forming above the ranch, each glowing in a strange, twisting shape. He felt a hiccup of nerves too, but he recalled how deep breaths helped settle his fluttering thoughts.
The old telescope sat perched on a rickety wooden tripod, its surface scratched from years of stargazing. If someone peered through its smudged lens, they might catch a glimpse of a shimmering secret dancing overhead.
Calamity Kate gently set a hand on the telescope, steadying it against a sudden gust of wind. She felt an odd twinge in her chest when she remembered all the mysteries in the world she couldn’t control. Yet she also realized it helped to share worries with someone who cared.
Under the starlight, Zibloo hovered closer, realizing his friend needed a supportive word. He shared a favorite motto from his distant galaxy: sometimes even shooting stars take time to burn bright in the sky. That reminder lifted his spirits as he prepared for their nighttime investigation.