The Marshmallow Moon

The Marshmallow Moon Yavuz DEMİRKIRAN

In the village of Sweetbriar, where rooftops curved like gingerbread, Mira and Theo were the most curious friends around. Mira, nine years old with warm brown skin and two curly puffs of black hair, always carried a small notebook. Theo, tall and lanky with a ginger cowlick and round glasses, filled his canvas satchel with tools and string. Every evening they watched the sky, waiting for something wonderful. 1

One night, a small white moon rose above the village. It looked softer than the usual moon, like a puff of cloud. Mira sketched it in her notebook. "It's glowing," she whispered. "And it's floating treat-shaped!" Theo adjusted his glasses. "That's no ordinary moon," he said. "We must investigate." The marshmallow moon hovered, round and bright, casting a gentle glow over the sleepy streets. 2

Suddenly, soft white blobs drifted down from the sky. Plop! Plop! Marshmallows landed on the cobblestones, on rooftops, and in flower pots. Children ran out with baskets, laughing. "Floating treats!" they cheered. Mira caught one and squeezed it. "It's a real marshmallow!" she gasped. Theo's eyes widened behind his round glasses. "A marshmallow moon?" he said. "We need a closer look." 3

The next morning, Mira opened her notebook. "We need a telescope," she said, tapping her pencil. "A homemade one." Theo grinned and dug into his satchel. "I have cardboard tubes, string, and lenses!" They worked all afternoon in Theo's backyard. Mira measured and sketched. Theo cut and taped, his ginger cowlick bouncing. "Careful," Mira reminded him. "Check every piece." By sunset, their telescope stood ready on a tripod. 4

That evening, they pointed the telescope at the marshmallow moon. Mira peered through first. "I see... a giant marshmallow!" she exclaimed. Theo took a turn. "And there's a little house on top!" He adjusted the focus. "Someone's inside!" They saw a round figure in a purple lab coat, wild white hair sticking out sideways. "An inventor!" Mira whispered. "We have to find out more." They watched until the moon drifted low. 5

The next day, the marshmallow moon floated lower than ever. It dropped treats onto the school roof, the bakery, and the fountain. But the sun grew hot. Mira noticed tiny drips falling from the moon. "It's melting!" she cried. Theo looked worried. "If it melts completely, it might crash!" They had to act fast. "Let's follow it," Mira said, stuffing her notebook into her pocket. "We can guide it somewhere safe." 6

They ran through the village, keeping the moon in sight. Theo pulled a long rope from his satchel. "We can use this to steer it!" he said. Mira sketched a quick map. "The inventor's laboratory must be near the hill," she said, pointing. "We need to lead it there." They climbed the hill, ropes in hand, as the marshmallow moon wobbled above them, dripping sweet drops. 7

At the top of the hill, they found a path of melted marshmallow leading to a strange little building. "The laboratory!" Mira exclaimed. But the door was locked. Theo knocked loudly. "Professor! Professor Wobble!" he called. From inside came a clatter. The door flew open, and there stood the round inventor in his purple lab coat, goggles on his forehead, flour dust on his cheeks. 8

"Oh dear!" cried Professor Wobble, his long curly moustache twitching. "My marshmallow moon is melting! I made it for the village festival, but it floated away!" He wrung his hands. "I'm not as young as I used to be. I can't guide it back alone." Mira stepped forward. "We can help!" she said. Theo nodded. "We have ropes and a plan. But we must be careful." The professor's grey eyes twinkled. "Then let's work together!" 9

Professor Wobble explained his machine. "The moon responds to gentle tugs," he said. "Like flying a kite." Theo tied the ropes to a special harness. Mira drew a map of the safest route. "We'll guide it over the meadow, away from houses," she said. The professor handed them each a pair of heat-proof gloves. "Hold tight and pull slowly," he instructed. "The sun is strong today." 10

They ran to the meadow, ropes in hand. The marshmallow moon hovered above, dripping more quickly now. Theo threw a rope up and caught it around a sticky bump. "Got it!" he shouted. Mira pulled her rope too. "Easy does it!" she called. The professor tugged from behind. "Left a little!" he directed. The moon wobbled and swayed, but slowly followed their gentle pulls across the meadow. 11

As they guided the moon, the sun beat down. The marshmallow surface grew shiny and soft. "It's melting faster!" Mira cried. Theo pulled harder, his glasses slipping down his nose. "We're almost there!" he puffed. Professor Wobble cheered them on. "Just a bit more!" he called. The moon left a trail of sticky sweetness, but the children kept pulling, step by step, toward the laboratory. 12

At last, they reached the laboratory's big open door. "Bring it inside!" Professor Wobble shouted. With one final tug, the marshmallow moon squeezed through the doorway and settled onto a giant metal tray. The professor quickly pressed a button, and a cool breeze filled the room. The melting stopped. The moon sat safe and sound, a little smaller but still round and fluffy. 13

Professor Wobble sighed with relief. "Thank you, my clever friends!" he said, wiping his forehead. "You've saved my marshmallow moon." He gave them each a jar of special marshmallow fluff. "You've taught me that careful investigation and teamwork can solve anything." Mira grinned, gap-toothed. "And we learned that curiosity helps us discover the truth!" Theo adjusted his glasses.