Listen to “Space Adventure” on Spreaker.

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Space Adventure

Max was a curious 7-year-old who loved stars, rockets, and anything to do with space. Every night before bed, he’d stare out his bedroom window, imagining what it would be like to zoom through the stars in a rocket ship.

One night, as Max was brushing his teeth, he heard a strange whirring noise outside. He ran to his window and saw something glowing in the backyard.

Max tiptoed outside in his pajamas. There, standing in the middle of the grass, was a shiny silver rocket ship with blinking blue lights and a door wide open. A small robot rolled down the ramp and said, “Greetings, Max! Would you like to join us on a space adventure?”

Max’s eyes sparkled. “Yes! I’d love to!”

The robot led him inside. The rocket was full of buttons, glowing screens, and seats shaped like eggs. “Buckle up!” said the robot. “We’re going to Planet Zog!”

The rocket roared to life and lifted off the ground. Max pressed his nose to the window as Earth grew smaller and stars twinkled around them like diamonds.

After zooming past the Moon and waving at Mars, they reached Planet Zog. It was round and green, with tall purple trees and lakes that sparkled orange.

The rocket landed with a soft bump. The door opened, and Max stepped out carefully.

Suddenly, out from the trees came a group of colorful aliens! They had round bodies, short legs, and long arms with three fingers. Each one had a different color—blue, pink, green, and yellow. Their eyes were big and friendly, and they all smiled.

“Welcome, Max!” they said together. “We’ve heard stories about the kind and curious Earth boy!”

Max giggled. “That’s me!”

The aliens introduced themselves. “I’m Zuzu,” said the blue one. “I’m Gleep,” said the pink one. “I’m Boop,” said the green one. “And I’m Tilla,” said the yellow one.

They gave Max a snack called “Zibbleberries”—squishy, sweet fruit that sparkled in the light—and showed him their floating playground. The swings hovered in the air. The slide was made of light and twisted like a spiral. Max had never had so much fun!

Later, Zuzu said, “Max, we need your help. Our rainbow crystal, which gives our planet light, has fallen into the Whispering Caves. Without it, our world will go dark!”

“Don’t worry!” Max said bravely. “I’ll help you get it back!”

The aliens handed Max a glowing map and a flashlight hat. They all hopped into a hover-buggy and zoomed across the bouncy hills of Zog.

The Whispering Caves were big, dark, and full of echoing sounds. As they stepped inside, Max heard whispers saying things like “Brave heart” and “Curious mind.”

Boop whispered, “The caves test your heart and mind. But we know you can do it!”

They walked deeper inside until they reached a riddle carved on the wall. It read:

“I fly without wings,
I cry without eyes.
Wherever I go,
Darkness flies.”

Max thought hard. “Fly without wings… cry without eyes… hmm…” Then he smiled. “It’s the wind!”

The wall slid open, revealing the rainbow crystal glowing on a tall rock.

But just as Max reached for it, the floor shook, and a puzzle appeared on the ground. Shapes needed to be matched to glowing stones.

Max carefully watched. “Triangle goes there… square over here… circle last!”

As soon as he placed the final shape, the rumbling stopped, and the crystal floated down into his hands.

“You did it!” cheered the aliens. They all hugged Max and danced in a circle.

They rushed back to the playground and placed the crystal in a tall crystal tower. The skies lit up with colorful lights—green, blue, pink, and yellow.

The aliens clapped and said, “Max, you’re our hero!”

They gave him a gift: a small star-shaped badge that glowed when he smiled.

“It’s time for you to go home,” said Zuzu. “But remember—you’re always welcome on Planet Zog.”

Max waved goodbye and rode the rocket ship back home. As he landed softly in his backyard, the sun was just rising.

He tiptoed back inside, climbed into bed, and smiled.

The next morning, his mom found him still holding the glowing star badge.

“Did you have a good dream, Max?” she asked.

Max winked. “Maybe… or maybe I went on a space adventure.”

The End!

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Follow-Up Questions:

• What would you do if a rocket landed in your backyard like Max’s did?
• How did Max help the aliens on Planet Zog?
• What was your favorite part of Max’s adventure, and why?