There was a girl who collected stars...

Darkness. That's how it's always been. I lost my father in this darkness because no one could save him while he was spluttering blood after a wild animal attacked him. Ever since his death, all I wanted was to bring light to the village. The only thing that kept me going was my songs. The villagers closed down the shops after sunset and the town would go quiet.

Everyone winded up their work as soon as possible so that they could reach home before it gets too dark and due to heavy winds the fire wouldn't last long. It was a usual day, everyone got back from their work. Mom served us dinner and after a while of chit-chatting everyone went off to bed.

Half way through the night I jolted awake from my sleep when I sensed something bright shining upon my face. Due to the intensity of light, I could barely see anything clearly, terror took over me like a huge wave. Slowly when the light moved away from my face, I could see a beautiful looking girl dressed in a red robe, jet black hair falling till her knees and a basket full of stars.

Never have I ever seen such a bright looking object. I couldn't move my eyes away from them. I was startled when I heard her voice.

"Hello, do you like these?" pointing towards the stars.

"Yes" I replied meekly.

"Do you want one?"

I wasn't sure if I should be honest or just deny the offer like I was taught to when I am offered something from a stranger. The star seemed to shine brighter each time I looked at it. I don't know what took over me and I replied in affirmative saying, "Yes, I would love to have one".

"If I give you this, one thing which you value the most will be taken away from you."

I didn't know what I had that could be equal to the value of this star. I didn't think twice before agreeing to her.

She smiled and said "Here you go".

She took out a dozen of similar stars and handed it over to me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was awestruck and the only thing I could mutter was a small thank you. The next moment she vanished into thin air.

The same night I took one star and placed it over at my neighbour's window and the star started floating and turned into a dot. I quickly rushed back home. After a while I saw a commotion outside the window the villagers were all gathered around their house.

Everyone was driven by excitement and happiness but most importantly curiosity and shock. They couldn't figure out how the impossible happened. The next day the whole village was talking about the mysterious light that floated above the

house. I pretended like I knew nothing and got back to work. I was working when my younger sister asked me to sing her to sleep.

When I tried singing all that came out was air.

Everything came to a standstill. She took away my ability to sing. I rushed out of the house crying and cursing myself for being so stupid and naïve. After hours of crying, I went back home and silently started doing my work.

The village by now was running in full fledge with a new ray of hope and excitement. At dusk everyone gathered around the dot to see how it radiated light. Even after a lot of discussion and debates no one seemed to come to a proper conclusion.

I stood there silently not knowing what to do as all these theories didn't seem to bother me. I noticed an old lady looking at me. I offered her a small smile and left. Slowly the crowd scattered and the village was once again silent.

When the clock struck twelve, I lit up one more house in the village. Days passed and I kept placing a star, by now one part of the village was active and lively even after dawn. The only thing that motivated me to continue doing this was the happy faces of my villagers. By now the villagers were curious more than overwhelmed. They formed groups to stay up all night and find out the origin of those stars.

After a couple of nights observing the place for any sign of the appearance of the stars the villagers gave up. One night when I stepped out to place the star, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I turned to find the old lady looking at me. The only thing I could think of was to run but she said something which made me stand dead on my tracks. "She took away my ability to write".

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