Little Karter was a small boy in the jungle. The jungle was big. It was green and warm. Birds said “tweet tweet.” Frogs said “ribbit.”
Little Karter held his little hat. “My hat!” he said. “It is gone.”
He felt sad. He was shy. But he was brave too.
A soft light danced on a leaf. It was Star Collector. Star Collector wore a shiny pouch and had bright eyes.
“Hello, Little Karter,” said Star Collector. “I collect tiny star sparkles. I can help you look.”
Little Karter nodded. “Please.”
They walked. Step, step. They heard a hush. The trees looked darker.
From behind a vine, a Living Shadow slid out. It was like a long, wiggly night.
“Mine,” whispered the Living Shadow.
Little Karter hugged his tummy. “I want my hat back,” he said.
Star Collector leaned close. “Shadows like quiet corners,” Star Collector whispered. “We will use light.”
Star Collector opened the pouch. Inside were tiny star bits. They twinkled like baby fireflies.
“Sprinkle?” asked Star Collector.
Little Karter took one star bit. It felt cool. “Pretty,” he said.
They saw paw prints in soft mud. Little Karter pointed. “There! Follow!”
They followed, step, step, step. They crossed a log. They passed big leaves. A monkey giggled, “Oo-oo!”
Little Karter tried not to cry. He took slow breaths. “I can do it,” he said.
The jungle opened to a small clearing. In the middle was a dark puddle of shade. The Living Shadow curled around something.
Little Karter squinted. “My hat!”
The Living Shadow hugged it tight. “Mine,” it hissed, but its voice sounded lonely.
Star Collector spoke gently. “Living Shadow, do you want a friend?”
The Living Shadow wobbled. It did not answer.
Little Karter stepped closer. His knees shook, but he kept going. “You can have a gift,” he said. “Not my hat. But a star bit.”
He held out the tiny sparkle.
The Living Shadow sniffed. The darkness softened. It reached out like a shy ribbon.
Star Collector sprinkled more star bits around the clearing. Twinkle, twinkle. The ground looked like night sky dots.
The Living Shadow sighed. “Warm,” it whispered.
It let go of the hat.
Little Karter grabbed his hat and put it on. “Hooray!” he said.
The Living Shadow stayed near the star bits. It was not scary now. It was calm, like a cool shade on a hot day.
Star Collector smiled. “Shadows can rest. They do not have to steal.”
Little Karter patted his hat. “Thank you,” he told Star Collector.
Star Collector reached into the pouch again. “For you,” Star Collector said.
Out came a tiny star sticker that glowed. It was shaped like a happy star.
Little Karter gasped. “Mine?”
“Yes,” said Star Collector. “A jungle treasure.”
Little Karter stuck it on his hat. The star glowed softly.
The Living Shadow made a little bow. “Bye,” it whispered.
Little Karter waved. “Bye-bye.”
They walked home, step, step, step, under green leaves and twinkly light. Little Karter felt brave in his chest, and his hat had a shining star to prove it.