The Star-Planting Bull

Lily had the wildest **hair** in all of Willow Creek. It poofed and curled like a cloud of cotton candy, and sometimes, just sometimes, she swear it whispered secrets.

One sunny afternoon, while Lily was reading under her favorite oak tree, she felt the tiniest tickle on her shoulder. A creature no bigger than her thumb peeked out from her curls. He had silver wings and eyes like tiny moonstones.

"I'm Nimbus," he squeaked. "I've been **spy**-ing on you from your hair for three days. You seem nice."

Lily giggled. "That's the funniest thing! A spy in my hair? Are you going to tell anyone my secrets?"

"Only the magical ones," Nimbus winked. "Speaking of which – I need your help. The Great **Bull** of the Stars needs us."

Nimbus explained that every night, a magical bull named Orion ran across the sky, planting stars so children would have light to wish upon. But tonight, Orion had caught a cold and couldn't finish his job.

"Without the stars, no one can make wishes," Nimbus said sadly. "Will you come?"

"Yes!" Lily shouted, and before she could blink, Nimbus sprinkled dust from his wings. Suddenly, she was **running** up a staircase made of moonbeams, higher and higher into the purple evening sky.

At the top sat Orion – a massive bull with golden horns and a coat that shimmered like spilled glitter. He looked sneezy and tired.

"Thank you for coming," Orion rumbled kindly. "My nose is too stuffed to carry the star bag."

Lily's hair began to glow brighter than ever. Her curls reached out like tiny fingers, plucking stars from Orion's bag and tossing them gently across the dark canvas of night.

"Your hair is magical!" Nimbus cheered. "It's perfect for star-planting!"

For hours they worked together – Orion directing, Nimbus guiding, and Lily's hair dancing with stardust. When the last star twinkled into place, Orion nuzzled Lily's cheek.

"You are my **friend** forever," the great bull said. "Whenever your hair tingles, that's me saying hello."

Lily floated back to her room just as her mother called her for dinner. From that night on, whenever she made a wish on a star, she felt a warm tickle in her curls – Orion, reminding her that magic lives inside her, always ready to light up the world.