500 Words 2024/25: read a finalist's story from the 5-7 category

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This story was chosen as a top 50 finalist for 500 Words 2024/25.

Remember, spelling, punctuation and grammar are not taken into account for a 500 Words story, therefore all the top 50 stories have been published how they were submitted.

The Brightest Star in the Sky by Camilla B.

Calmly resting on his comfortable red sofa, Rufus was about to go to sleep but heard the sounds of his family rushing about. He used to love running in the park with the children and chasing squirrels, but now his body felt stiff and unsteady so he much preferred to be stroked and left to rest.

In turn, each one of them hugged him and told him to be good, then set off to the beach.

Rufus was alone. The house was peaceful and quiet, he felt relaxed and settled back into his chair then closed his wise eyes knowing the family would return later. He wished he could have gone too, but he knew that he would have got too tired nowadays.

As he slept, wonderful memories came rushing into his mind, his favourite memory came first - sprinting through the waves on a calm but beautiful day… Holly by his side as always.

Rufus knew it would soon be time for him to cross the rainbow bridge, he could feel it in his bones. When the family came home and saw him, they knew it too. They realised their best friend they could ever have hoped for was ready to say goodbye.

But Rufus's adventure was just beginning!

As he started crossing the sparkling rainbow bridge Rufus felt a wave across him. He felt all of the aches and pains leaving him suddenly and his body felt young again! The further over the bridge he went, the more energy he had!

Rufus decided that there was one more thing he had to do. After all of the wonderful years of his family looking after him, he wanted to always be there for them and watch over them.

Taking a giant leap, Rufus went higher and higher into the moonlit sky and began shimmering and sparkling like a diamond. He was a star! Rufus looked around at the houses below, and caught sight of a very familiar garden. He knew he was right above his family's house - his favourite place in the world.

Far down below, Holly and Harry sat on the wooden bench in the garden that they had shared with Rufus many times. He could see that they were sad and he knew he had to show them he was there. He had to catch their attention.

Rufus thought and thought about how he could shine more brightly than before so that the children would spot him and suddenly he had a fantastic idea! Chasing his tail had always made the children laugh, especially Harry! So… he started spinning in circles, unable to resist his cheeky, wagging tail! The more he span, the brighter he became until he was the brightest star in the sky - the brightest in the whole universe!

It was Holly who spotted him first! She pointed and a huge smile spread over her face. Rufus gave a comforting twinkle and was always there whenever the children looked for him at night.

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