The Star Child

Deep in the forest on a cold winter's night, an owl tells his friends about another winter's night when a shooting star lit up the sky, fell to the ground, and left a human child in a hollow tree. A woodcutter, who sees the shooting star, finds the child, takes him home, and rears him as a member of his family. The Star Child grows up to be a very handsome young man, but he doesn't have compassion or kindness. He mistreats the poor and the sick, he hurts the animals of the forest, and he shows no love for the family that raised him. Eventually he loses his handsomeness becoming as ugly as his deeds. When he realizes the consequences of his actions, he roams the world as a beggar trying to undo the harm he has brought on others. Finally, he learns the meaning of the shooting star, and he becomes a great leader. With interesting roles of animals, villagers, and children, this one-act tale about goodness, generosity and charity will enchant young audiences.