Star Light, Star Bright...
"Bean pulled away from the telescope and stood up to look at the moon, nestled in a field of sparkling stars. He wondered if what PawPaw said was true.....could he actually place his heart's most precious wish in the care of those indifferent stars?
They were so grand, and so far away. Bean couldn't begin to imagine that they would suddenly stop their glittering march across the night sky to help a tiny little mouse like him.
Or would they? Was there any possible way that they could see him, perched on that cold gray stone in Thimbleberry Hollow, gazing back up at them? And if they could, would they actually make his wish come true?"
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From "Bean's Star," the Fall 2025 Storybox Make-a-long
PawPaw's Umbrella
"Take my hand, Bean," said PawPaw, peering over his glasses at the darkening sky. "We're in for a little storm, but no worries, I've got an umbrella!"
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Bean felt his heart beat quickly in his chest, he never did like the rain. Especially thunderstorms, which this was shaping up to be. He gulped, reaching for PawPaw's hand and moving under the bright orange leaf that he hoisted above their heads.
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PawPaw glanced down at his trembling grandson. He smiled warmly and began to hum a tune as he led them out of the forest and back to his cozy warm house in the mossy log.
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Once they were back safe and dry, snuggled in front of the fire, PawPaw turned to look in Bean's eyes, holding him tight. "You're safe, little Bean. No need to be afraid - you'll see."
​Bean felt his shoulders fall and a soft peace wrap around him like a blanket. He snuggled in close to PawPaw and yawned. He struggled to open his eyes just a peep, looking up at PawPaw sipping his elderberry tea.
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"I love you, PawPaw," he muttered, then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
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PawPaw sat very still, blinking slowly and savoring that moment. Those words. The soft peaceful weight of Bean in his arms. All of it. His grandson had finally come home."
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From "Bean's Star", the Fall 2025 Storybox Make-a-long