That evening, Lina had built a rocket out of a big cardboard box, two cushions and a lot of imagination. “Three, two, one… blast off!” she whispered. To her great surprise, the box began to shake, then to rise, up and up, right through the ceiling of stars.
In space, everything was calm and glittering. A little comet nuzzled against the porthole like a kitten. “Want to play?” asked Lina. The comet did a joyful loop: that meant yes.
Together they glided between the planets, counted the rings of Saturn and tickled a cloud of stardust that sneezed a shower of light.
But soon Lina felt her eyelids grow heavy as little moons. “Time to head home,” the comet breathed, and gently walked her back to her window.
Lina slipped under her blanket, her eyes still full of stars. And high above, a comet watched over her sleep. Good night, explorer.