Copyright by Ewa Marszałek, 2024

Illustrations: Natalia Juszczak
Translation: Ewa Dratwa ‘Verba’
Editor: Paulina Zyszczak – Zyszczak.pl
DTP: Paulina Karbownik – Zyszczak.pl
Cover DTP: Natalia Juszczak, Przemysław Ciesielski
Psychological consultation: Barbara Wiśniewska, Ph.D.
Marketing consultation: Consulting Adam Plutowski

The font used is PT Serif, designed by ParaType Ltd.

Edition I

ISBN 978-83-972693-7-8

All rights reserved. Reproduction, copying or distribution in audio form, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the written consent of the author.

Please visit the author’s website:
Ewa Marszałek – strona autorska

Prologue

Listen to the audiobook in Polish

– ‘You can’t be serious! You want to live among humans? That’s absurd!’ Rosa exclaimed, indignant. ‘I think it’s a bad idea and I’m saying this as a friend.’

‘Don’t say that! I like people.’ Reya was sad that her companion did not approve of moving to the human planet.

‘Let me remind you that, just like me, you are a star. We are shining objects in space, noble and unique. Humans would certainly not appreciate the honour of your ascendance. You know perfectly well that our world is much more interesting and, above all, more powerful.’ Rosa felt proud to be a star. She looked down on Korda, the human planet, with a superior air and dislike.

‘What do you know about their world if you’ve never been there?’, Reya asked. ‘We only see the colours, we don’t know what is beneath.’

‘Nothing worth going down there, that’s for sure’.

Rosa would do anything to discourage her friend from travelling. She wanted to keep her in the sky at all costs. However, Reya wanted to live on the human planet so much that nothing could change her mind. Especially now that the green boy had turned up.

Chapter 1
The Human Planet

Listen to the audiobook in Polish

Reya had always felt overwhelmed by the gigantic cosmic bodies suspended around her. She was tiny compared to her older, much larger cousins. She did not burn the way they did, she merely smouldered. She knew that being a star was a great honour, but she was ready to give it up. She dreamed of living among humans, and the only human planet she knew was Korda.

From a star’s perspective, Korda was not appealing as it was small, had no light source of its own, and always looked the same. Most of its surface was covered by seas and oceans. You could even say that almost the entire planet was a liquid sphere with a few small continents.

Korda hosted three countries. Reya could easily tell them apart because each had its own colour. In the south was the yellow country, which was simply yellow. The blue country, which was blue, lay to the north. The red country, which - of course - was red, was in the east.

Each of the Korda countries occupied one continent. The little star could clearly see that these lands were next to each other but not connected at all.

Reya would wonder why countries located so close to each other were not connected by – say - bridges. She tried to understand why no ship had ever crossed the sea separating them. However, her observations of the stars showed that the residents of Korda did not travel and cared only about their own colour. She understood that bridges and ships – even if they existed – would simply be useless.

One day, much to the surprise of all cosmic bodies, something happened on the human planet. There was a huge explosion, so powerful that even the stars were affected, especially those closest to the planet. Remarkably, the explosion, although powerful, did not destroy the planet, did not damage anything. Only the day after the explosion, when everything on Korda seemed to be back to normal, Reya noticed something brand new: a small, moving green dot against the dull colours of the planet. The star was fascinated by this new development, especially since after a while, the unusual spot was joined by a second, pale yellow one – less distinct but just as lively. Reya wanted to go down to Korda immediately to discover the mystery of these two unique points.

Not one of the celestial bodies approved of her idea. Rosa, Reya’s older and more experienced friend, was particularly outraged.

‘I’ve said it once and will say it again: your expedition is pointless. It will all be a disaster, you’ll see!’

Right next to Reya and Rosa was suspended Remi, a quiet star terrified of the human world.

‘I admire your courage, Reya,’ she admitted. ‘Of course, I’d prefer you to stay with us but I’m sure we can’t keep you.’

‘Oh, we will, we will. You’re not going down there, that’s it. The people from Korda are not suitable company for a star like you.’ Rosa was adamant that she should protect her friend from making a mistake.

‘But there’s a green spot there. Star rumour has it that it’s a little boy. And that bright dot next to him is supposed to be a tiny little girl. I want to meet them.’

Rosa grimaced. To her, Reya was not as much courageous as she lacked common sense.

‘Or maybe,’ Remi pondered quietly, ‘you should plan your move carefully, Reya. Think if it’s worth the effort at all. Start by writing a letter to the ruler of the country where you want to live.’

‘You’re right!’ Reya replied cheerfully. ‘I’ll write letters to all three of them.’

Rosa shook her starry head in disbelief. She couldn’t understand why a noble little star would write letters to ordinary, unexciting beings.

‘There’s a possibility that no one will reply, and then all this talk about living among humans will be over,’ she said bitterly.

Questions to Chapter 1:

1. How many countries were there on the human planet?

2. What colours did the Korda countries bear?

3. Were Reya’s friends happy that she wanted to live among humans?

From the author

Dear Parent, Teacher, Therapist,

You are holding a tool that is a starting point for talking to your child about one of the most pressing problems facing the world today. Immigration has always been an issue, but with countries becoming increasingly diverse in terms of their economies and technologies, as well as conflicts and the distressing climate change, it has now taken on a new significance.

Reya and the Green Boy It is an innocent fairy tale about a star from the sky who wanted to live among humans. Like a well-qualified employee, Reya is welcome on Korda. Because of her star qualities, people turn a blind eye to the fact that she is different. It is not the same with ordinary stones. The leaders of important countries are unable to see higher competences in slivers, which is why the small, colourful newcomers are not welcomed with the honours that Reya enjoyed. Sometimes they are not welcomed at all.

The stones and Reya’s star symbolise individual instances of crossing borders, while the two enormous cosmic objects: Jasper and Volan, embody mass migratory movements.

Jasper the moon fell on Korda like thunder out of a clear sky and irrevocably changed the reality of the planet. Some say it destroyed the human world, others say it gave it a new quality. It may be difficult to unequivocally assess the lunar immigration, but Volan’s presence has brought about several objectively positive changes. The residents of Korda gained a vast, attractive area illuminated and heated by free, almost inexhaustible energy. Goodness itself! Please remember though that Volan’s arrival could have destroyed the globe.

There is no denying that people should have the right to decide where they want to live. It should be emphasised that over the centuries, migration has contributed to the development of civilisation. What is the situation today? Nowadays, a much larger number of people feel the urge to change their place of residence. Armed conflicts, but also – and perhaps above all – climate change may make mass population movements unstoppable. There is a risk that weather anomalies, disasters and unfavourable temperatures will make life impossible on some continents and increase the need to move.

Sooner or later, our children will encounter immigration, be it directly or indirectly. Perhaps it is a good idea to talk about it with them today?

Spis treści

Prologue

Chapter 1 The Human Planet

Chapter 2 A letter from Korda

Chapter 3 The White Land

Chapter 4 Welcome on a sandy beach

Chapter 5 Alfie’s Secret

Chapter 6 The Green Boy

Chapter 7 The Ceremony at the Palace

Chapter 8 A Mystery to Solve

Chapter 9 Jasper the Moon

Chapter 10 The Court Painters

Chapter 11 Matilda

Chapter 12 Large-scale painting

Chapter 13 Old Volan

Chapter 14 Laboratory and observatory

Chapter 15 Announcement

Chapter 16 Last Preparations

Chapter 17 The Great Collision

Chapter 18 Where is Volan?

Chapter 19 New Hope

Epilogue

From the author

Endnotes