CHILDREN'S LITERATURE Letters for Venus and the Falling Star*

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Letters for Venus and the Falling Star*

By Odette P Apodaca

Dear Venus,

"I wonder if you and the earth can merge so your beauty and my planet's warmth can join forces to create life of beauty and warmth.  Then everything will be all right." 

I have learned from a science book that you are the most beautiful planet in the whole universe.  But I have forgotten why you are beautiful due to many things.  I have read about the universe, the planets.  Oh, no, I can't even recall those many things!

Is it because of your bluish color that makes you beautiful? Or is it something else?  Gee, forgive me for not remembering. How I wish i can go to you and look at your beauty the whole day! I wonder what it feels to be living with you and coming out like you beautiful and admired by the other planets.

Is there life inside you?  Are there tall trees and colorful flowers that grow in you?  Are there buses, jeepneys tall buildings, and houses in you? How do people live in you?  Are they like us earth people who have to eat three times a day and take a nap in order to be healthy and fit? What do your people look like?  Do they have eyes, ears, nose and lips?  Do they smile often like us?  Do they cry sometimes?

I have so many questions to ask you but I am not sure If I will have a chance to do that in person.  I have to be an astronaut and pass those rigid tests first before I can be with you.  Life is hard sometimes, especially to a kid like me.

Well, I have just heard from my teacher that life does not grow in you.  You are cold despite your beauty.  I am sad to know that amidst your beauty no life exists.  How sad for a planet as beautiful as you are to be that way on a physical level only.  How sad, really.

I wonder if you and the earth can merge so your beauty and my planet's warmth can join forces to create life of beauty and warmth.  Then everything will be all right.

Hoping to see you,
Kimmy

Dear Falling Star

"I wish to be like you so I may grant the wishes of children like me.  Yet, unlike you, I'll come often to grant every wish I hear.  Again, unlike you, I'll move a little bit more slowly so I may fully hear their wishes."

Every night I look out of my window to wait for your return.  My older brother keeps telling me stories about you and how you grant wishes of people who ask you something, including his.

I didn't believe him at first.  He's kind of braggart, that's why I don't often take him seriously.  But testimonials of other people who, for me, are credible have made me change my mind.

Now, I'm one of the countless children who look out of the window every night to wait for you. Like them, I have rehearsed over and over what I'd like to wish for.  The elders say we have to say our wish fast, just before you disappear, so it will be granted.

I'm kind of having a stiff neck because I look out of the window so much.  I'm getting a little bit restless but I know I have to be patient.  I know that we, children, don't easily get our wishes like getting good grades.  We have to work hard for them, I know.

You have to appear soon or I might grow old with this waiting.  Do you know what I'm going to wish for?

I wish to be like you so I may grant the wishes of children like me.  Yet, unlike you, I'll come often to grant every wish I hear.  Again, unlike you, I'll move a little bit more slowly so I may fully hear their wishes.

Now, wouldn't that be grand?

Please come soon,

Kimmy

*From Miss Odette P Apodaca's second book, The Wrath of Indaragata and Other Stories published by Giraffe's Books in 2000.  The book contains eighth short stories, which "tackles a wide range of subjects for children: cleanliness and hygiene, concern for the environment xxx the importance of reading books." (Introduction by Nick B Melgar). 

Dr Abe V Rotor's Note: Odette's stories for children convey a very important message in the midst of our digital and postmodernism living "to slow down, and reflect," so to speak. Her stories are for children's reflection and meditation, more so for us parents and grown ups. Odette and I taught at St Paul University QC, a most memorable association and experience with scholarly and creative professors exemplified by Odette herself.   Acknowledgement with gratitude to all concerned - avr

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Children's literature is a genre of written works and illustrations created to entertain or educate young people. It includes: 

- Books, stories, poems, magazines, songs, recordings, TV shows, and films
- Picture books, easy-to-read stories, fairy tales, lullabies, fables, and folk songs
- Works that are classified by the age of the intended reader or their reading level. 

(Reference: Internet)