Chapter 1
Sukoo had always found peace beneath the African sky. She loved the night sky. It offered a source of comfort and warmth. Her village lay deep in the bushveld of central Namibia, where the night stars are so vast she feels that they can swallow her entire village whole. She always thought of what was out there beyond the comfort of her tiny homestead where she lived with her family of 5. They up and left and left her with a homestead to take care of and bitter old memories of a family that was never hers to begin with. No cows or goats. She had to get by with then goats wich have grown to be 20. It’s a tiny homestead of made up of two tiny houses at the edge of the village. Before her family left though, They gave her a very stern and important warning. They said “Don't stray too far away from the homestead and never take of your glasses".
For as long as she could remember, her glasses had been her constant companion. She had worn them ever since a very young age and couldn’t recall a life without her other set of eyes. She felt bare without them. Lost.
The kids in the village caused her grieve. Often times they mocked and humiliated her. At this point in her life, she was so used to being called the “woman of four eyes.” Too many, this constant taunting and humiliation would have caused them to feel miserable and sorry for themselves. Not her.
Sukoo didn’t care about the insults and constant taunts. Perhaps that’s why her family abandoned her.
Although her village was busy and loud, she had a curiosity that made her feel like she stood out. Her heart lived up there, beyond the shimmering, glittering stars. Her heart and thoughts where always in a distant world beyond the stars. She felt that there was someone beyond the night sky calling to her and the voice became louder at night when the night sky is adorned in glitter.
One night, the moon seemed different, fuller, even brighter.
Its glow was so strong it looked like the entire village was bathed in the most beautiful light. It was so intense that Sukoo felt like something wonderful would happen.
As she sat by the fire that cold evening, her head tilted back, eyes wide, she spotted a shooting star.
She has seen many shooting stars before but this one in particular was definitely different.It came down at an amazing speed, trailing fire behind it. It crashed into the woods a walking distance from her home.
Her heart raced. “A fallen star?” she whispered, standing up at great speed. It was as if the forest where the the star had fallen called for her, urging her into the direction of the fallen star.At first she hesitated. It took her a while to make up her mind about whether to listen to the silent call from the forest or ignore the phenomenon that just occured right in front of her very eyes. One thing was sure, she knew that no matter what she had to see what had fallen from the sky. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself. Perhaps this was the sign that she was meant for something bigger, Sukoo thought to herself. So, she dashed into the forest and lightning speed. Her hand adjusting her glasses as she ran.
