A STAR ORNAMENT that once lived on a Christmas tree wanted to shine brighter than anyone else. So jealous was he even of the star topping the Christmas tree, that he kept complaining to the other ornaments: “It’s a shame that the housewife didn’t place me there”.

When the housewife one day forgot to switch the lights of the Christmas tree on, the star found the opportunity to escape. He jumped from the tree, then climbed up the wall so as to reach the half- closed window and ran away. Then, he visited each and every house in the neighborhood and peeped through the windows to see if there was any other tree that was taller than the one in his house. Yet he was very let down, as there was none to be found: “What I want is to climb the top of the tallest tree so as to shine brighter and be seen by everyone”, the star admitted.

He, then, headed for the nearby forest, which was rumored to have some of the tallest fir trees. He walked and walked, till he found himself so far away from the city that he realized he was lost in the wilderness. So much did he want to shine brighter than all the other ornaments, however, that he didn’t even think of quitting not even for a moment. As soon as he reached the forest, he saw tall trees standing in front of him, some of which seemed to be reaching as high as the sky.

He climbed the first tree he could find and jumped from branch to branch until he finally reached the top. And then he jumped from one tree top to another, looking for the tallest. Many hours later, and after having found the tallest tree in the forest, he took a glimpse of the million small lights that could be seen shining on the horizon. It was the city he had left behind.

“I managed to climb to the top of the tallest tree, yet there is no one to admire me…”, the star said. Disappointed, he climbed down the tree. A tired woodcutter who was taking a break then caught his attention. The star told him: “My good woodcutter, I came to the forest to find a tree to climb tall enough that everyone could admire my shine, yet not a soul is to be found here”.

The woodcutter then replied: “If you truly want to be admired by all, you have to climb as high as the heavens”, and pointed at the starlit sky.

“But how could this possibly be, as no one has ever managed to climb that high”, the star replied.

A star was then seen falling from the sky. “You only have to make a wish”, the woodcutter told him.

The star then wished that he could climb so high that everyone on earth would see him. No sooner had he finished his wish, than Santa appeared riding his sleigh, collected him from the ground and took him high in the sky. Since that time, our good star shines so bright that everyone on earth can see him, next to the beautiful moon and the other stars.