<p><strong>This is a special Christmas bonus episode for Season's Readings listeners.</strong></p><br><p>Frank has reasons for not decorating anymore. Christmas is quieter now. Darker. Easier to ignore.</p><br><p>Then a new neighbor moves in next door—six years old, endlessly curious. What starts as a simple conversation turns into a small act of defiance against grief, routine, and the belief that some lights, once turned off, should stay that way.</p><br><p><em>The Star</em> is a gentle story about unexpected persuasion, borrowed wonder, and how the smallest voices sometimes know exactly where the switch is.</p><br><p>If you enjoy short stories, there are dozens more just waiting to be heard on the Short Storyverses channel or at <a href="shortstoryverses.vom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shortstoryverses.com</a></p><p><strong><em>Season’s Readings</em></strong> is just one corner of the <a href="shortstoryverses.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Short Storyverses</a> Multiverse, created for anyone who enjoys a thoughtful pause and a well-told tale. You can explore the rest of the multiverse at <a href="shortstoryverses.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shortstoryverses.com</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>