Small Wonders · complete story

The Comet That Carried A Secret

Tedray · Teamwork & curiosity

The courier robot was shaped like a comet, with a silver nose and a cheerful painted tail. It rolled into Strawberry Station carrying a parcel and a notice.

“For the public board!” it announced.

Pip looked at the notice before it was pinned up. At the top were the words PRIVATE SURPRISE INVITATION.

“Perhaps we should check who this belongs to,” he said.

Zuri loved surprises. She wanted to read the whole message, but stopped beside Pip. They took it to Mira.

Mira contacted the sender. The notice was meant for the kitchen team, who had prepared meals throughout the festival. Their friends had organized a small thank-you gathering.

The courier’s public-notice basket and private-letter basket had been mixed up.

“A comet with two wrong orbits,” Ivo observed.

Mira helped the courier correct its labels. Noor checked that the invitation reached the intended recipients. Nobody needed to show the private message on the station board.

The kitchen team chose a time when their work was finished and another crew could cover the room. They were pleased to come, but asked for a gathering where nobody expected them to cook.

“That is an excellent request,” Dandy said.

The friends set out food prepared by the covering crew. Zuri made a paper banner. Pip wrote thank-you cards with specific things he remembered: warm breakfasts, patient answers and biscuits shaped like stars.

At the gathering, the kitchen team sat down first. Other friends served them.

The comet courier brought the final parcel. It contained soft cushions, not more work.

“Correct destination confirmed,” said the courier.

Ivo settled onto one cushion and made a tiny squeak.

“My seat has expressed gratitude.”

Everybody laughed. Pip was glad he had asked about the notice. The surprise had reached the right people, and the people who usually made others comfortable had a comfortable evening of their own.