In a remote mountain village, there lived an old man everyone called Grandpa Matthew. He spent his days alone, for his family had moved away long ago, and the villagers were too busy with their own lives. As Christmas approached, loneliness weighed heavier on his heart, especially when laughter and carols echoed from the neighboring houses.
One freezing December evening, as Grandpa Matthew warmed his hands by the stove, there came a soft knock at his door. Opening it, he found a thin little girl with tangled hair. Her coat was torn, and her shoes barely covered her tiny feet.
“Good evening, sir,” the girl said timidly. “My mother is very sick, and we haven’t eaten for days. Could you help us?”
Matthew hesitated. He had little to spare, but he couldn’t send the child away empty-handed. He fetched some bread, a wedge of cheese, and an old, thick blanket.
“Take this, little one, and take care of your mother,” he said, as the girl hugged him tightly in gratitude.
That night, a strange warmth filled Matthew’s heart. For the first time in years, he felt connected to the world around him. The next morning, he woke to an incredible sight: in the middle of his snow-covered garden lay a magnificent, glowing star, radiating golden light across the village.
From the garden, the little girl’s voice spoke softly:
“This is the Star of Love, given to those who selflessly help others. Guard it well, Grandpa Matthew, and share its light with the village.”
From that day on, Grandpa Matthew’s home became the heart of the village. The star’s radiant glow brought people together, reminding them of the warmth of love and the magic of sharing.
