Luca put on his headphones and looked up at the twinkly stars. He flapped his hands, feeling the music only he could hear. The night was gentle and quiet. Ms. Emery’s voice echoed, 'Everyone shines in their own way.' Luca hugged his knees, smiling at the sky. He wished he could share his songs with others.

Luca Listens to the Stars

'Class, let's make something about space!' Ms. Emery announced, her long black hair shining. Luca’s friend Khalil giggled, 'I'm building a rocket!' Luca whispered, 'I want to share how stars sound.' Loud chatting made Luca cover his ears. Ms. Emery knelt beside him, 'It’s okay, Luca. You can do it your own way.'

The Space Assignment

At home, Luca listened and picked soft notes, each one like a star. He hummed, flapping his hands with every sparkle. Tones danced in his headphones late into the night. 'That's the sound,' he whispered. He felt safe and proud. Tomorrow, he would play his song for the class.

Making Star Music

Luca stood by the speaker, heart thumping, classmates watching. Ms. Emery smiled, 'Just play, Luca.' The music floated: gentle, sparkly, full of dreams. There was quiet. Then, Khalil whispered, 'That was beautiful.' Luca grinned—now everyone could hear his stars too.

Sharing the Song

A 7 year old european boy with short black hair

Luca

A 40 year old middle eastern woman with long black hair

Ms. Emery

Class fellow

Enthusiastic and supportive classmate wearing casual school clothes, with a friendly smile

Khalil

An autistic 7-year-old boy. That meant his brain saw and felt things in amazing, different ways A dreamy night sky. Luca sits at a window with headphones, looking up at the stars.Luca loved the stars. He said they sang to him at night -- soft, sparkly songs that only he could hear.Loud noises made Luca cover his ears. Bright lights made his eyes hurt. But soft music and quiet helped him feel safe. Sometimes he flapped his hands when he was excited. Sometimes he needed to be alone. And that was okay. Ms. Emery, his teacher, always said, 'Everyone shines in their own way -- like stars.' One day, the class got a big assignment: 'Make something about space!'Luca didn't want to draw or build. He wanted to share how space *sounded*.He worked for days, choosing every tone carefully. Each sound shimmered like a star
in his mind.When it was time to present, Luca felt his heart thump. He didn't like being in front of
the whole class.Ms. Emery whispered, 'You don't have to talk. Just let them hear what *you* hear.'The music began. It was soft... gentle... like a breeze brushing across the sky.When the music ended, there was a quiet pause. Then someone whispered, 'That
was beautiful.'Luca smiled. He had shared his stars.That night, the stars hummed just as they always had. But now, Luca wasn't the only
one who could hear them. For every child who shines in their own way.