Wishing Upon a Star!

- July 24, 2022

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When I was a little girl, I remember being fascinated by the story of Pinocchio, the little wooden puppet who was naughty and yet so sweet. Geppetto, a carpenter, created him and looked upon him as a son. What I was petrified about was the bit where Pinocchio’s nose grew longer and longer every time he told a lie. I made sure that I stuck to the truth as far as possible, even though I had a tiny snub nose which could have done with some growing.

That was the first time I heard the song ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ from the animated movie, Pinocchio, (1940) sung by Cliff Richards for Jiminy Cricket. The wonderful Julie Andrews also sang a version of it.

“When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.”

Jiminy Cricket - Fandom

That was when I understood the concept of wishing upon a star, of watching for a shooting star, to go out into the world and look for the magic inherent and make a wish with a fervent hope that it would come true.

There is a way to wish upon a star, according to various articles on the subject. One of them advocates that you should go and sit down comfortably under the stars, close your eyes and say, "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight: I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight."

Do not tell anyone what you wished for because then, it may not come true. Finally, believe in your wish and think about it often. Positive affirmation, it is said, can make wishes come true.

The only time I did try to wish upon a star was when I was staying with my grandparents to do my 9^th and 10^th standard. My father had been posted to a tiny place which did not boast of any reputed schools. My grandfather, who had begun a school for boys, and was a renowned headmaster got me admission in one of the convent schools round the corner. He and my grandmother doted on me, and tried to give me everything I needed, including a bedroom which they painted a special shade of pink for me.

My grandfather was a holy terror as far as his students went. They had to follow strict timings, wake up early in the morning and study for three hours before they went to school. I had always been a late riser, and that was the one thing that I dreaded. Of course, I was also averse to the idea of leaving my parents and my little sisters. However, the move was necessary if I had to do well in my studies, and of course, in my Board examination.

Two weeks before I was to leave, I sat outside my house on the verandah, looking up at the starry sky. What could I do? I trained my eyes on the brightest star of all and stared at it till I felt quite dizzy. The stars seem to explode inside my head, and I closed my eyes, and thought about my wish. I was quite clear about what I wanted.

“Please, please, shining star, help me to find a way to be able to sleep in at my grandparents’ home. I do not want to wake up early!”

It might have seemed a silly little wish, but to me at that moment, when I was leaving home and those I loved, it suddenly seemed all-important. I knew I would be loved by my grandparents, but I loved my sleep as much.

The day came when I had to leave Mom and my sisters. Dad came along with me to Kerala to drop me off. I kept a stiff upper lip, trying not to bawl my eyes out. Once we reached our destination, I found everything ready for me – my room, my favourite food and snacks, and of course, my grandmother waiting to play my favourite game of Scrabble with me.

Dad stayed for a week. Two days before he was to leave, he had a discussion with his parents. I stood outside the room, and I could hear what he said clearly.

“Dad, Mom, she is going to be homesick for all of us. She loves being with you, of course. However, there is one thing that we, as her parents, would like to ask of you.”

I could hear my grandfather’s raspy voice say “Hmmm!” My grandmother asked softly, “What is it? We want her to be happy with us.”

“She loves her sleep. Please do not wake her up early in the mornings. That is what she has been worried about all these days.”

Another “Hmmmm!” and the matter was settled. My father came out of the room and winked at me. “All done, Deepush!” he said as he gave me a bear hug.

I spent two wonderful years with my grandparents and was taken care of like a little princess.

Not once was I woken up by them before seven in the morning. I had my parents to thank for that! And of course, the wish I had made upon a bright star!

This post is part of #BlogchatterBlogHop

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