That evening, snow was falling softly on Santa’s village. In the stable, Nino was looking at the stars. He dreamed of pulling the sleigh, but the night frightened him a little.
Santa sat down beside him and whispered: “Even in the dark, a little light is watching over you.” So Nino lifted his head. Above the fir trees, one star was shining brighter than all the others.
Nino was the youngest reindeer in the stable. His antlers were still small, his legs a little clumsy, and when the wind blew between the boards, he hid under the straw. The big reindeer were afraid of nothing. Tornado galloped through storms, Comet leapt over the clouds, and Rudolph lit the way with his red nose.
“How do they do it?” asked Nino. Santa smiled into his white beard. “They were afraid too. One day, they decided to take one tiny step, and then another. Courage isn’t never being afraid. It’s moving forward gently, even when you’re a little scared.”
Santa opened the stable door. Outside, the night was blue and silent. Snowflakes danced in the lantern light. Nino took a step into the snow. It crunched under his hooves, like a little laugh. He took a second step, then a third.
“Do you see that star?” said Santa, pointing at the sky. “That’s the reindeer star. It has watched over every one of you, forever. When you fly, it shows you the way home.” Nino looked at the star for a very long time. It twinkled, as if it were winking at him.
Then, very gently, Nino felt something warm in his heart. His legs stopped trembling. He trotted to the end of the lane, went around the big fir tree, and came running back, his eyes shining. “I did it!” he cried. “I walked in the night!”
The other reindeer poked their heads out of the stable windows. Rudolph lit up his nose to congratulate him, and Comet stamped his hooves on the floor. Santa laid his big hand on Nino’s neck. “I’m very proud of you, little reindeer. Next year, perhaps you’ll fly with us.”
That night, Nino fell asleep in the straw without leaving a lantern on. Through the little window, the reindeer star shone softly. And you too, when you close your eyes tonight, remember: even in the dark, a little light is watching over you.
That’s the end of today’s story. Big hugs to you all, and see you tomorrow for a brand-new bedtime story. Good night, children, and sweet dreams.
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