Skyless Stars...

...a girl stares into the distance, a glassy look settling into her eyes.

In her mind, wondrous fantasies of brave, warrior princesses saving the day and the lives of their respective husbands.

In her mind, the waterfalls fall, the streams stream, and trees tree. The nature is everywhere and glorious.

She is wracked with a sudden chill, but does not acknowledge it. Her mother calls; she ignores all but her thoughts.

The mighty have fallen and all but the little, humblest servant girl can save the world. The kings have been killed; the palace awrought with disarray, but far away, the exiled prince lies asleep waiting for the land to call up its only saviour.

As sudden as anything, the girl sits up a little straighter, shakes her head and scribbles something on the piece of paper in front of her.

This girl is me; and the paper: my math homework.

"We are all worms. But I believe I am a glow-worm." - Winston Churchill