Pluti was a small astronaut with a round silver helmet. Pluti lived in a floating castle high above the clouds. The castle had blue doors, yellow towers, and a soft moon-shaped bed.
Every night, one tiny star shone above the castle gate. It was called Pip. Pip winked and went, “Twinkle, twinkle!”
But one night, Pip was gone.
The gate was dark. The towers looked sleepy. Even the moon-shaped bed looked worried.
“Oh no,” said Pluti. “We must find Pip.”
“Roar! I will help!” said Lion.
Lion lived in the castle garden. He was big and golden, but very gentle. He wore a little red scarf. When he was brave, he gave a loud roar. When he was thinking, he went, “Hmmmmm.”
Pluti put on space boots. Clomp, clomp. Lion packed a snack bag. Crunchy star cookies went inside.
They followed a trail of silver sparkles down the castle stairs. The stairs curled through pink clouds. Then they reached a little door.
Behind the door sat Witch.
Witch had a purple hat and striped socks. Beside her was a black broom. On her lap was Pip, the tiny star.
“Witch!” said Pluti. “That is Pip. Pip belongs above our gate.”
Witch hugged Pip close. “I know,” she said in a small voice. “But my tower is very dark. I wanted one bright friend.”
Lion did not roar. He looked at Witch’s dark tower. It had one cold window. No lamps. No stars. No colors.
“Oh,” said Lion softly. “You felt lonely.”
Witch nodded. A tear rolled down her nose. Plop.
Pluti had an idea. Pluti was small, but Pluti was clever. “We can help your tower shine,” said Pluti. “Then Pip can go home.”
“Really?” asked Witch.
“Really!” said Lion.
First, Pluti opened the snack bag. “A star cookie for you.”
Witch took one. Crunch. “Yum,” she said.
Next, Lion shook his big golden mane. Tiny warm sparks fell out. Plink! Plink! Plink! They landed in empty lanterns.
But the lanterns would not light.
“Hmmmmm,” said Lion.
Pluti looked up. Above the tower, a gray cloud was covering the moon.
“I can fly there,” said Pluti.
Pluti pressed the bright button on the space pack. Whoosh! Up went Pluti, past the window, past the chimney, past Witch’s hat.
The gray cloud was not mean. It was just stuck on a pointy weather vane.
“Don’t worry,” said Pluti. “I will help.”
Pluti gently pushed. Lion blew from below. “Fwooooo!” Witch waved her broom. “Swish, swish!”
Pop!
The cloud came free. It floated away and began to rain tiny, happy drops on the faraway sky.
Moonlight poured over the tower.
The lanterns woke up. Glow! Glow! Glow!
Witch’s tower became purple, gold, and bright green. Little windows sparkled like buttons. The broom danced a silly jig.
Witch laughed. “My tower is beautiful!”
Pip gave a happy twinkle. “Twinkle, twinkle!”
Witch held out her hands. “Pip, you may go home now. I do not need to keep you. I have light, cookies, and new friends.”
Pluti carried Pip carefully in both hands. Lion walked beside them, proud and gentle.
Up the curly stairs they went. Clomp, clomp. Pad, pad. Twinkle, twinkle.
At the castle gate, Pluti placed Pip back in the little star holder.
Pip shone brighter than ever. Golden light danced over every blue door and yellow tower.
Then something wonderful happened.
A treasure chest appeared beside the gate. It had a moon lock and a star key.
Click!
Inside were three shiny prizes: a tiny astronaut badge for Pluti, a golden scarf clip for Lion, and a glowing lantern for Witch.
Pluti’s badge said, “Kind Space Helper.”
Lion’s clip said, “Gentle Brave Friend.”
Witch’s lantern said, “Welcome, Witch!”
Witch smiled so wide that her purple hat tipped over one eye.
From then on, Witch visited the floating castle every week. She brought cookies. Lion brought roars, but only friendly ones. Pluti brought bright ideas.
And Pip watched above the gate, twinkling all night long.
“Good night, Pluti,” said Lion.
“Good night, Lion,” said Pluti.
“Good night, Witch,” said Pip.
“Good night, little star,” said Witch.
The castle glowed. The friends smiled. And the sky felt warm, bright, and never lonely.