Polaris the North Star

3 a s a f e e r . c o m

Author: Amira Alshaer

Illustrator: Maya Abood

The original work of this book was made possible through the generous support of the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) Partners (the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Vision, and the Australian Government). It was prepared by Asafeer Education Technologies FZ LLC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the ACR GCD Partners. Any adaptation or translation of this work should not be considered an official ACR GCD translation and ACR GCD shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation.

Even though she lives in a vast universe, Polaris wasn’t happy at all. She’s a star just like any other star and this made her wonder about her purpose, especially out here where she sees nothing but spacecrafts and some space trash.

“What am I doing here?” Polaris, asked in exasperation. One night, she heard a strange sound she had never heard before. Zoom, zoom.

She wondered just what that sound was and said, “Hey, who are you and what are you doing here?”

He happily said, “I am Beta Mespar, I came from planet Earth to discover a new planet. What about you?”. “Well…I’m...I’m…Polaris. I’m only a star. I don’t really do anything,” stuttered Polaris.

Beta said, “But each of us must have a purpose in life, Polaris. You too, even if you don’t yet know what it is. Look around and perhaps you’ll discover what it is. I have to continue on my mission, but remember, your value lies in your ability to help others. Goodbye, Polaris.” Then Beta left.“My value lies in my ability to help others? What does he mean?” Polaris whispered to herself when suddenly…

A jet pack flew by her. She thought, “I’ll go to the planet Beta came from and search for my purpose.”

She quickly grabbed the jet pack and put it on her back. She held down the power button and….

Off she flew towards that lovely blue planet Beta told her about. She entered its atmosphere, swinging left, then right and back again. She felt freezing cold, then burning hot as she passed through the atmosphere’s layers. When she passed through the final layer, she finally felt warm and comfortable.

Zoom… Polaris peacefully landed on Earth. Her eyes turned red and her yellow color turned to a dull gray.

As soon as she landed, she heard a child crying, “Where’s my star?” His cried so loud it could be heard in nearby galaxies. She went up to him and remembered, “My value lies in my

ability to help others.” It was the last thing Beta told her before he left. “Hello, little one,” she said tenderly, “Can I help you? I am a star too.” The child said, “But my star is in the sky. I look at it until I fall sleep every night.”

Polaris was sad because she couldn’t help him and so she left to look for her purpose, as Beta had told her. Along the way, she stopped in front of a lovely open space, with bright golden sand when suddenly…

She heard a terribly loud noise. She went closer. A crowd of people, camels and cars appeared. They were all stuck in the sand and a man shouted, “We went into the sandstorm instead of around it. Where is our star, our guiding star? We’re losing our way without it.”

Polaris remembered that her value was in her ability to help others. She asked them tentatively, “I heard you talk about a star. I’m a star. Do you need any help?” The Bedouin guide answered, “Stars belong in the sky and you’re down here with us.” Then he turned and walked away.

Polaris left. She was so sad, but what could she do? She still had to discover her purpose. Along the way, she found a lovely blue place with lots of water.

Polaris loved the blue color and was amazed by its size. Polaris saw a ship heading towards her. On it, there were people singing, “Come North star, quickly appear, come North star, we need you here. Look at us, North star. Without you we sail without direction… North star!”

She listened carefully and said, “North star! Yes, that’s me! Who is calling me? It seems these people need my help.” Polaris was so excited and finally felt she could offer something of value to others. Then she suddenly heard a loud horn sound...

It was another ship, sailing nearby. They were also singing, “Come, North star, quickly appear, come North star, we want you here. Look at us, North star. Without you we sail without direction… North star! Polaris froze for a moment and her eyes just opened wide.

This ship was not going north because it was lost. It was headed south towards the other ship! Oh no! They could crash at any moment.

Polaris shouted anxiously, “I’m Polaris. I’m Polaris.” Everyone yelled, “Hey! The North star has finally appeared. Help, North star, please go back to your place.” Then she remembered, “My value lies in my ability to help others.” And so…

She flew off at maximum speed and blasted through the atmosphere. She warm at first but then she felt freezing cold, then burning hot as she passed through the atmosphere’s layers, swinging right and left and back again. Soon she was back to her very own place in the sky. Her bright yellow color returned.

Polaris had one last look down. The ships were almost ready to collide! At the last moment, one ship slowed down and turned in a different direction. She got out of the way just as the other ship passed by. Whew! That was close.

Finally, Polaris shone brightly in the sky. And the Little Bear constellation was complete once again.

She thought proudly to herself, “Wow! I was looking for my purpose in life, but I never knew just how important I was to so many people.”

The End