“If you’re willing to work hard and never stop learning, you can be anything you want to be.”
Teddy was sitting on his swing in the backyard, watching his dad grill hamburgers on the barbecue.
The delicious smell drifted across the yard, making Teddy’s stomach rumble.
Mom came out onto the deck carrying a plate of hamburger buns and a bottle of ketchup.
The picnic table was already set for dinner.
“Are you getting hungry yet, Teddy?” she asked.
“I’m starving!” Teddy laughed. “Those hamburgers smell delicious!”
“I agree,” said Mom. “No one grills better hamburgers than your father.”
Dad grinned as he lifted the juicy hamburgers from the grill onto a serving plate.
“You two are my biggest fans,” he chuckled. “When you’re hungry!”
Marmalade was lying beneath the picnic table, watching Dad—and the hamburgers—with great interest.
Mom knelt beside her and smiled.
“Don’t worry, girl,” she whispered. “I’ve got something special for you, too.”
A few minutes later they all sat down and enjoyed a delicious dinner together.
Meanwhile, Marmalade stayed tucked beneath the table, happily enjoying the special gourmet cat food Mom had promised her.
“That was a wonderful meal,” Mom said. “I don’t think I could eat another bite!”
As they cleared the table, the sky began to grow dark.
“It’s such a nice evening,” Mom said. “Why don’t we sit out here for a while and look at the stars?”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Dad replied. “Come on, son, let’s get these dishes to the kitchen.”
Dad and Teddy finished taking the dishes to the kitchen sink.
The family sat quietly at the picnic table in the backyard, enjoying a glass of lemonade and staring up at the night sky.
Teddy studied the stars in amazement.
“I think I’d like to be a space explorer someday,” he said.
“Teddy, every astronaut was once a little boy or girl who looked up at the night sky and wondered what was out there,” said Dad.
“If you’re willing to work hard and never stop learning, you can be anything you want to be,” said Mom.
As the evening passed, Mom and Dad pointed out different constellations, stars, and planets to Teddy.
And as they scanned the night sky, they saw two satellites and a shooting star!
The evening passed quickly, and before long, it was time for bed.
After his bath, Teddy climbed into bed.
Soon, Marmalade quietly entered the room and sat on the floor watching Teddy.
“It’s getting late. Ready for bed, girl?” Teddy asked.
Soon, Mom and Dad came in for goodnight hugs and kisses.
“Sweet dreams,” Mom said.
“Good night, son,” Dad added.
“Good night!”
Mom and Dad turned off the overhead light and closed the door as they left the room.
Marmalade jumped up on the bed and curled up at Teddy’s feet.
Teddy switched off his bedside lamp and lay back on his pillow.
Through the window he could see thousands of stars sparkling overhead.
Marmalade purred softly at his feet, already fast asleep.
Before long…
…he was asleep as well.
The next thing Teddy knew, he was sitting inside a sleek silver spaceship racing silently through space.
Rows of glowing buttons, colorful lights, and computer screens surrounded him.
When he looked to his left, he could see Earth floating in space like a big beautiful blue marble.
All around him shone more stars than he could count.
“Wow! I’m really an astronaut!” Teddy whispered.
Suddenly the radio crackled.
“Commander Teddy, this is Mission Control. Do you copy?”
“Yes! Loud and clear!” replied Teddy.
“Commander, a fellow astronaut has become stranded on Mars, and he is running low on oxygen. Your mission is to rescue him.”
“I copy Mission Control,” replied Teddy. “I’m on my way!”
Suddenly, an alarm sounded and a warning light began flashing on the dashboard.
“Commander,” said Mission Control, “an asteroid field is directly ahead. Autopilot cannot avoid it. You must take manual control.”
“Copy that,” replied Teddy.
Teddy tightened his grip on the controls.
“I can do this,” he whispered.
Teddy steered left… then right… then left again, threading his way between huge spinning asteroids.
At last, he guided his ship safely through the final gap.
The alarm went quiet and the flashing light disappeared.
“Well done!” Mission Control called. “Your course is now clear, Commander.
Good luck!”
Soon the red planet filled the windshield.
Teddy could see a flashing light coming from the surface of the planet and steered his ship toward it.
“Begin landing sequence,” announced the computer.
Teddy carefully guided the spacecraft onto the dusty Martian surface.
Nearby sat another spaceship identical to Teddy’s.
As he watched, its door opened and a lone astronaut came out and hurried toward Teddy’s air lock.
Teddy heard the airlock cycle open and close again.
The astronaut entered the control room and removed his helmet.
“Emmett!” cried Teddy.
“What are you doing here?”
“Surprise!” Emmett laughed.
“I was returning from a mission and ran out of fuel on my way home.”
“Boy, am I glad to see you! Thanks for rescuing me.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Teddy smiled.
Moments later the two boys were safely buckled into their seats and ready to return to Earth.
“Begin liftoff sequence,” announced the computer.
The ships’ engine rumbled as they blasted off, gently rocking them back and forth in their seats.
And then…
“Teddy… Teddy… time to wake up sweetheart.”
Teddy slowly opened his eyes to find Mom gently shaking him awake.
“Breakfast is ready,” Mom smiled.
“Mom!” Teddy exclaimed. “I had the coolest dream!
Emmett and I went to Mars!”
“No wonder you were smiling in your sleep,” she said.
“You can tell me all about it over breakfast.”
Teddy sat up and stretched as Marmalade rubbed against his arm, purring happily.
He looked out the window at the morning sky and smiled.
“Maybe someday…” he thought.
Then he dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast.