In the Crystal Nebula, stars twinkled like tiny lamps. Pink clouds floated. Blue crystals rang, ting, ting, ting.
Superwoman was a little mermaid. She had a bright red cape, a shiny tail, and a brave smile. She lived in a warm bubble-house under the silver sea.
One morning, the Crystal Nebula went dim.
“Oh no,” said Superwoman. “The colors are going away.”
She swam past purple rocks. She swam past sleepy moon-fish. Then she heard a small sneeze.
“Achoo! Brrr!”
It was Living Snowman. He was round and white. He wore a green scarf and a yellow hat. He was kind, but he worried a lot.
“Hello, Superwoman,” he said. “My snow is cold. But the nebula is too dark.”
“Let’s find the missing Star Pearl,” said Superwoman. “It makes the crystals shine.”
Living Snowman clapped his twig hands. “I can help! I have a very good nose.”
He sniffed. “Sniff, sniff. I smell pearl. And cookies. Mostly cookies.”
They followed a trail through the Crystal Garden. Little crystal flowers opened and closed. Open! Close! Open! Close!
At the end of the trail stood the Crystal Guardian. He was very tall. His crystal coat went clink-clink. His eyes glowed pale blue.
“Stop,” said the Guardian. “No one may take the Star Pearl.”
Superwoman did not shout. She was brave and gentle.
“Is the pearl yours?” she asked.
The Guardian looked down. “I found it. It is beautiful. I do not want to be alone again.”
Living Snowman gave a little sad sniff. “Being alone is chilly.”
Superwoman swam closer, slowly. “You can keep a light. But the whole nebula needs the pearl. The moon-fish need it. The flowers need it. My friend needs it too.”
The Guardian held the pearl tight. The nebula became darker. Even his crystal coat lost its sparkle.
Then Living Snowman had an idea.
“We can make you a new light!” he said. “A friend light!”
Superwoman nodded. “Yes! I can use my tail splash.”
She swished her shining tail. Splash! Sparkles flew into the water. Living Snowman rolled tiny snowballs. Roll, roll, roll. The Guardian placed three small crystals in a circle.
Together they made a little lamp. It was not big. But it glowed gold.
“Try it,” said Superwoman.
The Crystal Guardian touched the lamp.
Glow!
His face softened. “It is warm,” he whispered.
“It is for you,” said Living Snowman. “And we can visit.”
The Guardian smiled for the first time. He gave Superwoman the Star Pearl.
Superwoman put it in the Sky Shell at the center of the Crystal Nebula.
Flash! Pink came back. Blue came back. Gold came back. Every crystal sang, ting-ting-ting!
The moon-fish danced in circles. The flowers opened wide. Living Snowman did a wiggly snow dance and fell over with a soft poof.
The Crystal Guardian laughed. “That was funny!”
Inside the Sky Shell was a surprise. The Star Pearl made three tiny treasures: a red cape pin for Superwoman, a little golden bell for Living Snowman, and a glowing crystal lamp for the Guardian.
Superwoman wore her pin. “Now I am Superwoman, Helper of the Nebula!”
Living Snowman rang his bell. Ding-ding!
The Guardian lifted his lamp. “No more lonely dark,” he said.
Then the three friends shared star cookies under the bright, bright crystals. Crunch, munch, smile.
And the Crystal Nebula shone all night long.