Jordan visited the lighthouse visitor center with family. The lighthouse stood tall beside the blue sea, and waves whispered along the shore.
Jordan held a caregiver’s hand and walked step by step to a bench outside. A tall tree grew beside the bench, its leaves stirring in the evening breeze.
Cedar, an owl, perched on a sturdy branch. He watched the sea. He watched the sky. Then he blinked.
Jordan looked up. Cedar blinked again.
“Blink,” Jordan whispered.
Cedar turned his round head toward Jordan. Jordan smiled and gave a tiny wave. Cedar blinked once more.
The sun slipped lower. The sky changed from gold to pink, and the first evening shadows stretched across the path. Jordan sat on the bench and leaned close to the caregiver.
“Let’s look for the first star,” the caregiver said.
Jordan searched the sky. There was no star yet.
Jordan looked again. Still no star.
Then a neighbor walked along the path. The neighbor smiled and waved.
“Hello,” the neighbor said.
Jordan held the caregiver’s hand a little tighter. Jordan looked at the neighbor, then looked at Cedar.
Cedar blinked.
The neighbor sat at the other end of the bench. “Would you like to talk?” the neighbor asked.
Jordan tucked close to the caregiver and took a small breath.
“I feel shy,” Jordan said.
“That’s okay,” the neighbor said.
The neighbor did not move any closer. The waves whispered below the cliff, and the tree leaves made a soft, rustling sound.
Jordan watched Cedar. The owl blinked slowly from his branch.
Jordan lifted one hand. It was a very small wave.
“Hello,” Jordan said softly.
“Hello,” the neighbor said with a warm smile.
Then the neighbor turned to look at the sky. The neighbor did not ask for a hug or more words. Jordan could stay close to the caregiver and watch the evening in a quiet way.
The bench felt warm beneath Jordan. The sea shone in the fading light. Far above the lighthouse, one tiny star appeared.
“There it is,” the caregiver whispered.
Jordan pointed. “Star!”
Another star peeked out. Then another.
Cedar blinked from his branch, and Jordan blinked back.
“Good night, Jordan,” the neighbor said.
“Good night,” Jordan replied.
The lighthouse lamp began to shine. Waves whispered along the shore. Jordan rested against the caregiver and watched the stars come out, one by one, while Cedar kept his quiet watch from the tree.
Talk about the story
1.Where did Jordan sit?
2.What did Cedar do?
3.What appeared in the sky?
