Fern's village was by a hill. Past the hill, a valley of tall trees began. Fern loved nature. She loved every creature in it. But at night the trees held darkness. "Do not go there," said her uncle. Fern did not go. Not yet.

One snowy night, Fern looked out. Something bright was in the snow! It was a gold feather, lit up like a candle. Fern ran out and picked it up. Then she saw more. "Is it possible?" she said. A trail of feathers went up the hill! What an adventure!

Fern felt a rush of excitement. "This is my mission!" she said. "It is an adventure!" She put on her cape and her mittens. Then, with a big grin, she went after the trail.

The trail went down the hill and in the trees. Fern hopped over a brook. Splash! Her mittens got wet. Then her cape got stuck on a bush. Fern gave a big pull. Rip! Her cape was torn, but she was on a mission, so she did not stop. In the darkness, Fern felt stillness and strangeness all around.

The trail grew faint. The last feather blinked and went out. Darkness was all around. For a moment, Fern wanted to cry. She felt a wave of loneliness. "Uncle was right," she said. "I want to go back." Then came a sniff. Sniff, sniff! Was it a creature? "Who is there?" asked Fern.

Fern took a deep breath. She held the last feather up high. Its brightness lit the trees. At that moment, Fern saw a creature in a pile of leaves under a bush. It was round and gold, with a big tail. It looked sad. "Did you get lost?" asked Fern. "Such an adorable creature! I will call you Star."

Star shook with cold. Fern took off her cape and put it on Star. "It is torn, but it is warm," she said. Star gave a happy chirp. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the gold on Star's tail got bright, brighter, brightest! The darkness ran off. The brightness lit the valley. It was incredible!

Star flew up, up, up, and the sky filled with gold. Fern went back with one feather in her mitten. Her uncle looked at her cape. "Why is it wet and torn?" he asked. "Nature did it," said Fern. Her uncle just shook his head. Fern grinned, full of happiness. What an incredible, unforgettable adventure!