Jimmy was a little Ninja. He was quiet, but brave. He liked to tip-toe. Tap, tap, tap.
One evening, Jimmy stood in the Mystic Courtyard. The stones were warm. The air smelled like mint.
“Hello?” Jimmy whispered.
A soft glow floated down. It was Moon Child. Moon Child was gentle and sleepy, like a lullaby.
Moon Child said, “Jimmy, the night looks wrong.”
Jimmy looked up. The sky had a dark hole. A star was missing.
“Oh no,” Jimmy said.
A tiny person ran in, pockets jingling. It was Star Collector. Star Collector was cheerful and proud. He loved shiny things.
Star Collector called, “I count stars! One, two… wait. My favorite one is gone!”
A ribbon of smoke swirled. Out stepped Illusionist. Illusionist smiled like a secret. He could make pictures in the air.
Illusionist said, “I saw a flicker. Someone took the star.”
From behind a tall fountain, a voice hissed.
It was Spellcaster.
Spellcaster held a jar. Inside, a little star blinked. Blink. Blink.
Spellcaster said, “Now the courtyard will be dim. Mine!”
Jimmy’s Ninja heart went thump-thump. He felt scared, but he stood tall.
Jimmy said, “Star is for everyone.”
Spellcaster waved his hand. Whoosh! The courtyard filled with silly shadows.
One shadow looked like a giant carrot. Another looked like a dancing shoe.
Star Collector giggled, “Haha! Shoe shadow!”
Moon Child yawned, “Stay close, Jimmy.”
Illusionist whispered, “We can trick the trick.”
Jimmy nodded.
They crept. Soft feet. Quiet breaths.
Illusionist made a pretend jar in the air. It sparkled like the real one.
Star Collector said, very loud, “Wow! Look! A bigger jar!”
Spellcaster turned. “Where?”
Jimmy dashed. Ninja fast! Zip!
He did not hit. He did not shout. He was careful.
Jimmy tapped the real jar with one finger. Tap.
Moon Child blew a calm moon-breath. “Shhh.”
The jar lid loosened. Click.
The star popped out like a happy bubble. Pop!
It zoomed up. Whooo!
The dark hole in the sky closed. The courtyard shined again.
Spellcaster blinked. He looked less mean. More tired.
Illusionist said, “No more taking. You can watch the star, too.”
Spellcaster mumbled, “I… wanted it close.”
Moon Child said, “You can have a gift that is yours.”
Star Collector rummaged in his pockets. “I have a spare sparkle!”
He held out a tiny pebble that glowed like a baby star.
Spellcaster’s hands shook, then softened. “For me?”
Jimmy nodded. “For you. Small. Safe.”
Spellcaster smiled a small smile. “Thank you.”
Then he handed Jimmy something. A little Ninja belt charm, shaped like a star.
“It’s real,” Spellcaster said. “It will glow when you are brave.”
Jimmy clipped it on. It glimmered. Warm. Bright.
Star Collector clapped. “Treasure!”
Illusionist made firefly-lights dance in circles.
Moon Child hummed.
Jimmy looked up at the sky. All the stars were back.
Jimmy whispered, “Good night, star.”
And the Mystic Courtyard felt cozy, safe, and shiny.