Zola sat in her small spaceship. Her hair sparkled like real stardust in the light. She looked out of the round window. Outside, many star lanterns hung. They shone brightly and yellow.

Zola loved to count. "One, two, three," she said softly. She always did that when she was happy.

Suddenly, something happened. A bright flash darted past the window. It was a small comet with a long, glittering tail of light. This was Comet Kit. But Kit was flying much too fast. He whirled wildly in circles.

"Oh dear!" cried Zola. She saw Kit's tail trembling frantically. The little star was very scared. He didn't know where he was.

Zola immediately jumped up. She pulled her silver boots on tight. "He needs help," she thought. She pressed a large, green button on her control panel.

"Don't worry, little star!" Zola called into her radio. "I'm coming!"

Zola wanted to rescue Kit. A little star should never be alone in the dark. She held the steering wheel tightly with both hands. "I'll help you!" she said again, very bravely.

The spaceship wiggled a little. Then Zola flew off. She chased after the glittering light. The great adventure was beginning right now.

Zola climbed into her fast spaceship. She hummed a little song to herself. She always did that when she was excited.

"Are you ready, Kit?" Zola asked, checking the levers. Comet Kit wiggled his long, glittering tail of light wildly. For him, that meant: "Yes, let's go!"

Zola pressed a big, bright button. The engine purred as softly as a sleeping cat. "Hold on tight, Kit! We're flying off!" cried Zola.

The ship lifted off gently. Suddenly, they flew right into a huge cloud. But it wasn't a dark rain cloud. It was a cloud of glittering stardust.

Everything sparkled in blue and gold. The fine dust tapped gently against the window. It sounded like tiny glitter-rain. "Oh, how beautifully it glows!" Zola said in amazement.

Kit flew right to the front. He was now shining as brightly as a flashlight. With his tail, he drew a bright trail in the dust. He showed Zola the way. "You're a great helper," Zola laughed.

The stardust was as soft as powdered sugar. The ship glided smoothly through it. Zola looked straight ahead. Somewhere out there, she was looking for the little, lost comet. She would find him. For sure.

Zola steered her ship very carefully behind a large, gray space rock. [SFX: A soft, trembling sob] <break time="1.5s"/>

"Very quietly," Zola whispered. She brushed a sparkling curl from her forehead. "There's something ahead."

Behind the rock, no wild comet was crouching. It was a small, round star. It was Comet Kit! The little star trembled all over. He cried thick, golden light pearls. Plop, plop, plop. The pearls floated like small soap bubbles through the dark cosmos.

"Oh dear," Zola said [softly]. "You're not a dangerous monster at all. You're just a lost little star."

Kit looked up. He sniffled loudly. "I've lost my home," he squeaked sadly. His long, glittering tail of light only glowed very faintly. He looked like a tired shooting star.

Zola knelt down in front of him. "Don't be scared, little Kit. I'm Zola. I'll help you."

Kit carefully wiggled his tail. "Really? The other stars are so far away. Everything is so dark."

Zola pulled out her big star map. The map glowed in all the colors of the rainbow. She traced the way with her finger.

"Look here!" Zola exclaimed [excitedly]. "Up there, the Silver Bells are shining. That's your constellation! That's where you belong, right?"

Comet Kit made a little jump for joy. [SFX: A bright, glassy chime] <break time="1s"/>

"Yes! That's my bed!" cried Kit. He wagged his tail so wildly that colorful stardust flew everywhere.

"Then let's go," Zola said and laughed. "We're taking you home!"

Zola steered her ship very calmly through the purple cosmic sea. "Look there, Kit!" she cried [enthusiastically]. Many silver lights were blinking there. They were the Silver Bells. That was Kit's home. [SFX: A bright, delicate chime] <break time="1s"/>

Kit did a wild somersault in the air. His long, glittering tail painted colorful streaks in the darkness. He was no longer sad. He was now a very proud little star.

"I'm back!" Kit squeaked [full of joy]. He wiggled his points excitedly.

The other stars blinked back friendly. They looked like many little lamps in the night sky. Zola smiled. She brushed a sparkling curl from her face. "You belong right here," she said softly.

Kit now shone so brightly that Zola had to squint her eyes a little. He hummed a small, buzzing melody. Buzz, buzz, glitter. He always did that when he was especially happy.

"Thank you, Zola!" said Kit. He gave her spaceship a little nose-nudge of stardust.

"You're welcome, little friend," Zola replied. She waved very enthusiastically. "Take good care of yourself!" <break time="1.5s"/>

Zola slowly turned her ship around. Space was no longer dark at all. It was full of light and warmth. Zola felt really good. She had helped a new friend. That was the most beautiful adventure of all. She yawned briefly. Even a brave space traveler had to sleep sometimes.

"Good night, little star," she whispered into the silence. <break time="2s"/>