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The story is intended for readers who appreciate imaginative tales filled with fantasy, Essays (university) of Creative writing

Document Title: Lena and Her Wish Author: Earl Ong Year of Publication: 2024 Course: Creative Writing Subject: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Imagination. Overview: "Lena and Her Wish" is a whimsical children's story about an eight-year-old girl named Lena who embarks on a magical journey after making a wish upon a falling star. Content Summary: Characters: Lena: A curious girl who loves the night sky. Mayari: The moon goddess who grants Lena's wish. Plot: After her first day at school, Lena wishes to touch the sky and hug the moon. She meets a man who asks about her love for freedom, leading to her encounter with Mayari and a magical hug that symbolizes acceptance. Themes: Wonder and Imagination: Celebrates childhood dreams. Freedom: Highlights the importance of personal freedom for happiness. Target Audience: For children aged 6-10 but also resonates with adults. Educational Value: Useful for discussing personal identity and cultural beliefs, particularly Filipino folklore.

Typology: Essays (university)

2023/2024

Available from 01/15/2025

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Lena and Her Wish
After her first day at the Matungo Elementary School, little Lena sat at their old and
rickety bamboo bench, staring at the sky. Her brown eyes were big with uncontainable
awe as she tried to carefully name each star.
"That one is pretty, I'll name her Diyosa."
While naming the stars, she was enjoying the steamed peanuts she bought from Mang
Abel, the old man who likes to smile and say silly jokes at the elementary school.
"That one looks shiny! I think I'll name her Shine...or Shiny. But Shine sounds better, so
Shine it is."
Lena was gazing at the night sky illuminated with the ethereal, bright moon with such
adoration that overflows her little eight-year old heart. She treasured the peaceful night
in the province so much, just like how her brown-skinned forefathers did.
A falling star came and Lena closed her eyes to make a wish. When she opened her
eyes, she was no longer at the front yard of her house, but somewhere more quiet. The
place was white and gray like the color of the ashes on their stone stove.Lena walked,
and looked and searched. Then she came upon a lone man sitting at the foot of an old
balete tree.
"Mister, Mister. Do you know where we are?"
"A new visitor!" He said, "Welcome to the moon!"
"The moon?"
"Yes, the moon. The most beautiful thing there is that a man can gaze upon all his life."
The minute the man said those words, the stars came flying and floating and shining
right before Lena's eyes and she felt overwhelmed and wonderful. She jumped and
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Lena and Her Wish

After her first day at the Matungo Elementary School, little Lena sat at their old and rickety bamboo bench, staring at the sky. Her brown eyes were big with uncontainable awe as she tried to carefully name each star.

"That one is pretty, I'll name her Diyosa."

While naming the stars, she was enjoying the steamed peanuts she bought from Mang Abel, the old man who likes to smile and say silly jokes at the elementary school.

"That one looks shiny! I think I'll name her Shine...or Shiny. But Shine sounds better, so Shine it is."

Lena was gazing at the night sky illuminated with the ethereal, bright moon with such adoration that overflows her little eight-year old heart. She treasured the peaceful night in the province so much, just like how her brown-skinned forefathers did.

A falling star came and Lena closed her eyes to make a wish. When she opened her eyes, she was no longer at the front yard of her house, but somewhere more quiet. The place was white and gray like the color of the ashes on their stone stove.Lena walked, and looked and searched. Then she came upon a lone man sitting at the foot of an old balete tree.

"Mister, Mister. Do you know where we are?" "A new visitor!" He said, "Welcome to the moon!" "The moon?" "Yes, the moon. The most beautiful thing there is that a man can gaze upon all his life."

The minute the man said those words, the stars came flying and floating and shining right before Lena's eyes and she felt overwhelmed and wonderful. She jumped and

clapped and laughed. "This is amazing!"

The man smiled and looked at the dancing stars, then at Lena.

"Tell me, little Lena, what did your heart wish for?" "I wished to touch the sky, kiss the stars, and hug the moon." "Such a marvelous wish!" the man said, "But there are questions you must answer before I can fulfill it." "Questions?" "Yes, Lena." "Okay. If it gets me to do my wish." "Now for the question. What do you love the most in this world?" The man expected Lena to think hard like all the other visitors did, but she did not. "Freedom," Lena replied confidently. "Why is it freedom?" "If I was not given freedom, I would not have loved every person I know. I would not enjoy staring at the sky, I would not enjoy going to school, I would not enjoy what I love. Freedom is what I cherish." "Such a unique answer!" The man was astonished. "No one ever said that they loved freedom, no one ever said they loved the right to love." "Will I now get to fulfill my wish?" "Yes, little Lena. Now you can touch the sky, kiss the stars and hug the moon. But only if you close your eyes."

Lena obeyed the man. She closed her eyes and she waited. A minute or so after, she felt her two feet being lifted. Up, up, up. Her two feet came dangling and dangling but still she did not open her eyes.

She heard the man laughing. "Lena, dear, you can open your eyes now." Lena did as she was told. She was ... speechless. Lena was really flying! She was walking on air. She was walking on clouds! Her body touched the sky. She dived and swam to her

that precious hug from you."

Even if unsure, Lena still gave the goddess a hug, and she felt the gentleness of Mayari. She was cool and then warm, and then cool again. It was strangely comforting. For some reason, Lena felt like she was hugging her mother again.

Lena closed her eyes and heard Mayari whispering, "Child, I wish you a blessed life. May Bathala be with you."

When Lena opened her eyes, she was sitting at their old, rickety bamboo bench. Peanut shells were at her side and the faint noise of their barrio filled her ears once again.

She heard slow footsteps from a distance. "Apo, how come you're still outside? Your father and I need you now. It's time to pray for your Nanay. Come inside."

Just as she was about to enter their house, Lena looked at the sky, at the stars and at the moon again. She mouthed a thank you. The night sky answered her by shining brighter than ever.

It was truly a wonderful night.