Ben had always been fascinated by the stars. As a child, he would lie on his back in the middle of the vast Kansas fields, his eyes scanning the heavens, wondering what secrets the universe held. His grandmother often told him stories of the constellations, pointing out Orion’s belt, the Big Dipper, and the Seven Sisters. She would speak of ancient travellers who navigated by starlight, of myths and legends spun around the twinkling dots above. But there was one story that captivated Ben more than any other—the tale of those who believed that when they died, their souls would become stars, shining forever in the nightsky.
As Ben grew older, his love for the stars never waned. He pursued a career in astrophysics, spending long hours in observatories, peering through powerful telescopes that brought him closer to the cosmos. He marvelled at the nebulae, distant galaxies, and dying stars, feeling a deep connection to the universe that extended beyond mere curiosity. It was as if the stars called to him whispered secrets only he could understand.
Ben’s life was full, yet he always felt a pull, a subtle yet constant yearning for something beyond. He dedicated his life to unravelling the mysteries of the universe, discovering new celestial bodies, and advancing humanity’s understanding of the cosmos. His colleagues admired his passion, though they often joked that Ben seemed to have one foot in the stars already.
Years passed, and Ben’s achievements piled up, earning him respect and accolades from the scientific community. Yet, with each discovery, each revelation about the universe, that feeling inside him grew stronger—the sensation that his journey was leading somewhere else, somewhere far beyond Earth.
One evening, as he sat in his observatory, now an older man, Ben felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The sky was unusually clear, and the stars seemed to shine with an intensity he had never noticed before. He realised then, with a certainty that startled him, that his life on Earth was drawing to a close. But instead of fear or sadness, he felt only a deep, abiding calm because he felt like the stars were calling him home.
In the weeks that followed, Ben’s health began to decline. His friends and family gathered around, offering comfort and support, but Ben was at peace. He spent his final days surrounded by those he loved, sharing stories and reflecting on the life he had lived. But every night, he would ask to be taken outside, to lie beneath the stars one last time.
On the last night, as he gazed up at the familiar constellations, he whispered to the sky, “I’m ready.”
Ben closed his eyes, feeling his spirit begin to lift, as if it were weightless. The stars above seemed to shimmer more brightly, as if welcoming him. His breathing slowed, his heartbeat softened, and then, with a gentle sigh, Ben’s earthly journey came to an end.
Remember, it’s a journey nobody should fear because it’s an unavoidable trip everyone will take.
