isa-normaladvance-1909-00138

Description: 138THE NORMAL ADVANCEtheir play they rushed swiftly about in well defined paths and the Star took pleasure in caringfor them. Its kindliest light and heat werebestowed unceasingly, and the. voice of theMaster of the universe- spoke in commendationand made beautiful the beneficent labors of theStar. The children were robed in garments ofbeauty.To watch the evolving loveliness of its wardsbecame the passion of the Star. It seemed thatthe universe was but one infinite paradise ofharmony and beauty.This dream was to be rudely shocked. TheStar had often watched in the distance othergreat stars, who, like itself, were busying themselves with younger stars. Each group, however, seemed to find contentment within its ownappointed space. .Once as the Star was exchanging greetings with a neighboring greatstar its attention was recalled to duty by analarm from the smallest of the wards. Youmust understand that these wards were not everwakeful, as the Star, but continually turnedand one half rested while the other half baskedin the love of the Star and reached forth inadoration, growing beautiful in the act. Thathalf of the small ward which was sleeping atthis period of our tale was rudely awakened bythe sudden appearance of another and brighterlight than the one it had been accustomed to.What it saw was a luminous star coming inits direction. Whence had it come? It was awicked star, which had not been content toremain fixed and shed light about it. It wasyoung and had a mad desire to travel over theuniverse in search of adventure. It turnedaside ere it reached the little star and passedon its wayward flight.After the first shock of fright, there wasstirred in the heart of the little star a queerfeeling it could not understand. For the firsttime in all its existence, it began seriously toponder. For long ages it had been content toexchange twinkling greetings with its littleplaymates and to offer up continually its sacrifice and worship to the Star. On this oc-. casion it made bold to address the Star. Atthe thought of such boldness a shudder wentover it, rending great cracks in its body.The Star, however, was kind and answeredcarefully all questions. It was surprised tolearn of her feelings of admiration toward thewild intruder who had trespassed on their playgrounds. His name was Comet and he had runaway from home to seek adventures in the universe. With a great cry he had plunged forthleaving a nebulous trail of fire behind him. Inhis wild dreams he thought he was destined to,out-rival all the stars. However in this hefailed because he was consuming himself tono useful purpose and could not endure likethe Star, who steadily shed forth a gentle beneficence, gladly content to remain where God,had placed it.But despite all the Star could say the littlestar admired the brilliancy of Comet. Shefell to dreaming of him, and the dream wasone of love. Never had the Star made so startling an appearance as Comet during, his swiftpassage.While she was thus dreaming Comet, too*was thinking. He began to tire of new scenesand longed to return to his home. As a punishment for his disobedience, however, God toldhim he must continue on until he would beburned into nothing.He began to reflect and recalled the timewhen he had sped through the domains of theStar. On one occasion he had passed close to alittle star which raced through a small orbit,quietly worshipping its great benefactor. What ja peaceful little star she is. If I could only winher love! I cannot remain settled, but I mustsee her ere I perish.So thought Comet, but his strong will imr 1pelled him on around his course. Ages againhad passed and Comet found himself once moredrawing near to his love. He spoke in amighty voice of his passion and the little starmurmured in ecstacy that she had long waited 1for his return. Comet had time only to shoutin passing that he would come again.The little star was overjoyed and began tocount the ages when her lover would return.
Source: http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34168
Collection: Indiana State University Archives

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