Starlight - Chapter One

 Chapter One – Beer for Grandfather

Starlight should have been delighted when her mother asked her 'Little Mouse' to take the precious beverage to her beloved grandfather for he was the only one who seemed to value her, and at the end of a long day of being at the beck and call of her demanding family she was in need of some affirmation.

The only trouble was, it was dark. They were already lighting the rush lamps in the house when she stepped outside into the blackness of the tropical night.

Cicadas were filling the silence with their shrill chatter, while she longed to brush the midges out of her eyes, but her two hands were full, clutching the pot of the precious beverage.

As she stood, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, her brother came, gently steering her towards the main path and then leaving her with a loving push to set her on her way.

Normally, Little Mouse would have delighted to walk in peace by the side of the canal, listening to the lapping of the waves on the side of the boats, with no insistent voices urging her to do this or that before the last task was complete.

It was the close of the day, and they would all be in bed by the time she returned, but.... 
Little Mouse was afraid of the dark. Truth to tell she was afraid of many, many things, but somehow the dark was worst of all. But she must take her beloved grandfather his beer. Mother had been brewing it all day. It was a very special treat, with its tasty lumps of sweet meat floating on its surface.

Fearfully, she took some faltering steps, and as she went she realised that she was able to discern the way before her. No, there was no moonlighting her path, and yet there was a measure of star light.

Star light! That was the name her Grandfather called her, her special name.

Were the stars shining down on her, helping her? The lapping of the water was warning her away from danger, the stars lighting her way while the darkness itself seemed to be enfolding her, hiding her from danger.

'Hello? Hello?' As if he had sensed her coming, her grandfather stood at the door of his little booth, a lamp in his hand.

Little Mouse dared not run for fear of spilling the precious beer, but it wasn't long before it was set on a stool and she was safe in the embrace of the old man, 'Old Asim' as he was known, but to the child always Grandfather, her own special grandfather who loved her, and yes, believed in her.