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[Page i]A BAHÁ’Í COMPANION FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS

Brilliant Star

www.brilliantstarmagazine.org VOL. 46 / NO. 4/5

Gift of Friendship

Q + A WITH SPACE SCIENTISTS

HELP CREATE A BULLY-FREE WORLD [Page ii]Brilliant Star BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 1233 Central Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201 U.S. brilliant@usbnc.org 847.853.2354 Subscriptions: 1.800.999.9019 www.brilliantstarmagazine.org

Published bimonthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Amethel Parel-Sewell EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR C. Aaron Kreader DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR Amy Renshaw SENIOR EDITOR Susan Engle ASSOCIATE EDITOR Annie Reneau ASSISTANT EDITOR Foad Ghorbani PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

MANY THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Lisa Blecker Beth Blenz-Clucas Maryam Chingwe Rick Doering Nuora Ghorbani George Hatcher Adam Keilhorn Paula Celeste Martinez The Okee Dokee Brothers Jeremy Pane Boyan Slat Vivian ten Have Cory Ming-Yu Yan Original illustrations by C. Aaron Kreader, unless noted Serena Miller-Muro Bev Moser Emma Élise Nelson Donna Price Stephen Scotti Louie Shelton

ART AND PHOTO CREDITS

By Lisa Blecker: Photos for pp. 20-21, Watercolor for pp. 24-25 By Foad Ghorbani: Art for p. 14 and p. 23 Historical photos courtesy National Bahá’í Archives, unless noted

STORY AND ACTIVITY CREDITS

By Amy Renshaw: 5, 11, 16, 18, 24, 30, 37 By Susan Engle: 12, 15, 22, 26, 30, 32, 36 By Annie Reneau: 4, 6, 10, 23, 31, 33, 34 By Lisa Blecker: 8, 20 By Donna Price: 3, 11, 14, 16, 18, 22, 28, 29

SUBSCRIPTION RATES AND RENEWALS

To order or renew a subscription, contact Bahá’í Subscriber Service: Toll-free: 1.800.999.9019 / E-mail: subscription@usbnc.org Standard U.S. rates: $18 (One year); $32 (Two years) International airmail: $38 (One year); $68 (Two years) Canada and Mexico: $28 (One year); $48 (Two years)

SUBMISSIONS

We welcome submissions and ideas from contributors of all ages. Contact us for editorial themes or submission guidelines.

RIGHTS, PERMISSIONS AND CLASS USE

All content in this magazine is copyrighted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S. or by individual contributors. For permission to copy or translate material, contact: Rights and Permissions, Brilliant Star, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Teachers may photocopy pages in limited quantities for classroom use. "Brilliant Star" and issue date must be present on all copies, and proper credit given to the copyright owner.

INTERNET RESOURCES AND INTERNET SAFETY

When Internet resources are provided as references, we make every effort to choose reliable websites, but we do not endorse or account for all content in these websites. We urge caution and parental guidance when using the Internet. For more information about Internet safety, visit www.wiredsafety.org

Brilliant Star empowers kids to explore their roles as world citizens. Inspired by the principles of peace and unity in the Bahá’í Faith, we encourage readers to use their virtues to make the world a better place.

The Bahá’í Faith is the second most widespread religion in the world, with over five million Bahá’ís. It was founded by the Prophet Bahá’u’lláh ("Glory of God" in Arabic) in 1863. Bahá’u’lláh taught that all people are part of one human family, and all religions come from one God. Bahá’u’lláh's eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, interpreted His teachings and led the Bahá’í community after Bahá’u’lláh's passing. Today, Bahá’ís work to bring love and justice to the world, and end prejudice and discrimination of all kinds.

FAVORITE FEATURES

Riley's Rainforest You're weird-and that's wonderful!

Bahá’u’lláh's Life: Mission of Peace He changed lives with love and kindness.

We Are One Explore and care for the place we all call home.

Radiant Stars Get to know kids who shine, like you.

Lightning & Luna: Episode 64 Showdown in the mysterious caves!

Nur's Nook Create an origami ship for a smooth ride.

Maya's Mysteries Are you a good listener? Find out with this quiz.

Stargazer: Louie Shelton A passionate, world-famous musician

Treble Chef's Music Café Sing about the magic of nature.

Shining Lamp: Lua Getsinger She traveled the world and spoke with eloquence.

Cosmo's Corner A crossword and more from our favorite chameleon

aMAZEing ADVENTURE Find your way through a magical castle.

ISSN 0884-3635 [Page 1]GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP • VOL. 46 • NO. 4/5

NEW DESTINATIONS

3 BFF: Best Fish Friends Unlikely allies under the sea

5 Build New Friendships Take a trip beyond your comfort zone.

8 Smooth Sailing Teamwork will float your boat.

10 Cooperative Crocs Siblings can make great teams.

14 Finding Friends Test your skills at reaching out.

15 Let Your Kite Fly! Color and find, high in the sky.

16 Space Ace NASA experts answer your questions!

23 Challenging Choices A game about solving sticky situations

24 Great Escapes An Indian folktale with clever creatures

28 Shield of Self-Respect Deflect the darts of put-downs and bullying.

29 Be a Friend to You Are you kind to the person in the mirror?

30 How Embarrassing! When you goof up, do you run or recover?

31 Stand Up Against Bullying Help create a bully-free environment.

33 Don’t Burst My Bubbles True friends lift us up. [Page 2]

DEAR FRIENDS

What comes to mind when you think about your friends? Fun and laughter? Encouragement and kindness? Good friendships can be some of life’s greatest blessings. They boost our health and happiness. Like a garden that needs to be tended, friendships take time and effort. They can thrive when you spend time together, talk about what’s important to you, and patiently work out disagreements.

In this issue, explore ways to help your friendships grow. Discover how to be a good friend to others—and to yourself. Take a quiz to check your listening skills. Create an origami ship to help you navigate rough waters. Meet musician Louie Shelton, who has made many friends while playing guitar professionally from age 12, and is now in the Musicians Hall of Fame.

Have fun cultivating your ability to connect with others. Celebrate the gift of friendship!

LOVE, BRILLIANT STAR

NEWS ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

Creating Brilliant Star’s new website at www.brilliantstarmagazine.org has been an important part of our work for some time. With Brilliant Star Online, we’re reaching and connecting with more kids and families around the globe.

However, you may have noticed that your magazine has been late getting to your mailbox. We’re excited to announce our plan for getting back on schedule. For the rest of 2015, each issue will cover four months, instead of two. And these new issues will have eight extra pages of fun. After four expanded issues, we’ll return to our bimonthly schedule for the January/February 2016 issue. If you have an annual subscription, you’ll still receive the same number of issues.

Thanks for your patience with us as Brilliant Star grows to serve you better!

For more details, check out: www.brilliantstarmagazine.org/about/otd [Page 3]

BFF: Best Fish Friends

“Let them see no one as their enemy, or as wishing them ill, but think of all humankind as their friends . . .” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Sea anemones may look like colorful flowers on coral reefs, but they’re actually animals. Most fish stay away from them, since they use stinging tentacles to capture food. But one kind of fish is close friends with the anemone—the clownfish.

Amazingly, clownfish grow immune to the anemone’s poison. They also grow a thick layer of mucus as protection from stings. Then they live inside the anemones, safe from predators. Clownfish help the anemone by cleaning up debris and chasing away pests, such as butterflyfish.

It takes time for the clownfish to get used to its anemone. It can take time for people to connect with other humans, too. Maybe you clash with a kid at school—you might even sting each other with harsh words. But with kindness, you can get past those barriers. When you take time to understand each other, you can swim along in harmony.

In this coral reef, find 17 clownfish living among the anemones.

SEA ANEMONES CAN LIVE OVER 80 YEARS.

AFTER WE FEMALE CLOWNFISH LAY OUR EGGS, MALES CARE FOR THEM UNTIL THEY HATCH. [Page 4]"Send down... from the clouds of Thy mercy the rains of Thy healing..." -Bahá’u’lláh

Weird and Wonderful

Do you ever feel different from other people? Like you don't always belong? Like you're maybe a little weird? No worries! Everyone feels out of place sometimes. You might think you're too smart, not smart enough, too big, or too little. You might have a different culture, language, or religion, or maybe you have unusual hobbies.

Those qualities may not make you popular, but popularity doesn't always lead to happiness or success. A study that followed a group of kids from ages 13 to 23 found that those who were "cool" in school were more likely to have problems with drugs, alcohol, and criminal behavior later on. They also didn't get along with others as well as the kids who had been less popular.

In another study, a journalist interviewed kids around the U.S. who felt like outsiders during a year in high school. She says that what makes kids feel "weird" are often the things that drive their success as adults. Being true to yourself takes courage and dedication-qualities that can help you reach your dreams. We need passionate, innovative thinkers to cure diseases, invent new technology, create awesome art, and solve global problems.

Feeling different can be tough. Try not to compare yourself to others. Pursue your interests, even if others don't share them. Look for friends who appreciate you just as you are. Even one friend who "gets" you is a huge blessing.

If you're still seeking good friends, take heart. There are kids out there who are just as weird- and wonderful-as you are.

Curiosity Canopy

True or False? Doing kind deeds for others can make you happier and more likeable.

True. In one study, kids who did random acts of kindness felt more accepted by their peers. Also, kindness is contagious-people who experience kind deeds are more likely to perform them for others. What can you do today to make someone's world brighter?

Explore & Soar: Be True to You

You don't have to fit in to find success. Check out some famous people who dared to be different:

Albert Einstein in 1893 at age 14 Einstein struggled in school and was slow to speak, but he became one of the world's greatest scientists.

J.K. Rowling was bullied as a kid and "lived mostly in books and daydreams." She later wrote the best-selling Harry Potter series.

Helen Keller was born deaf, mute, and blind, but became a world-famous writer, speaker, and activist.

Bethany Hamilton lost her arm in a shark attack at age 13, but won a surfing national championship two years later.

Stevie Wonder was born blind, but had a hit song at age 13 and became a world-renowned musician and songwriter. [Page 5]

BUILD NEW FRIENDSHIPS

“You want to do what? That’s crazy!”

Have friends ever challenged you to try something new or explore fresh ideas? Maybe they want you to go deep sea diving, start a band, or run a marathon.

It’s nice to hang out in your comfort zone, with people who think, talk, and act a lot like you do. But it can be exciting to reach out of that circle and get to know new people.

Sometimes, it may be hard to understand people with different opinions or backgrounds. You might even speak different languages. But diverse friends are the building blocks for fun, new worlds!

1. Go where you’ll meet new people, like a cultural festival, ____ N ____, or a museum.

2. Keep an ____ N mind. Try saying hi to someone you wouldn’t normally talk to.

3. Put away mobile devices. Give people your full _T________.

4. ______ P people who aren’t like you. You may learn something cool.

5. Be ____ R_____. Find out about your friends’ interests.

6. Ask ________ S ________ about your friend’s family, culture, or religion.

7. Be aware that some people aren’t comfortable with teasing, sharing, or ____ L_____.

8. If you have a conflict, take deep breaths and stay _______ M while you talk it over.

9. Talk about your feelings with kindness and _______ S___.

10. Listen carefully and try to understand your friend’s point of ____ E_.

11. If you hurt your friend’s feelings, say you’re ____ R___.

12. Use C_____ communication to strengthen friendships.

Check out the unlikely pairs of friends on the beach. Find the words to complete tips about getting along with diverse people.

WHY DID THE CRAB HAVE A HARD TIME MAKING FRIENDS? HE WAS TOO SHELL-FISH!

Model by Jeremy Pane Photo by Rick Doering

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse Brilliant Star. [Page 6]

A Brief Timeline: The Life of Bahá’u’lláh

1817 November 12 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Tihrán, Iran

1844 Recognizes the Báb as a new Messenger of God

1852 Imprisonment in the "Black Pit" of Tihrán

1853-1863 Exile in Baghdad, Iraq. From 1854-1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.

1863 April 22 Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith

1863-1868 Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edirne), Turkey. Begins writing letters to kings and rulers in 1867, urging world unity

1868 Last exile, to prison-city of ‘Akká, Israel

1877 Finally free to live in countryside homes of Mazra’ih and then Bahji, outside ‘Akká

1892 May 29 Bahá’u’lláh passes away at Bahjí.

A Friend to Baghdad

Have you ever moved to a new place or felt like an outsider? Bahá’u’lláh and His family faced this challenge when they were exiled from Tihrán, Persia (now Iran) to Baghdad, Iraq, in 1853.

In a community that was mostly Muslim, they were Bábís—followers of a Messenger of God known as the Báb ("the Gate" in Arabic). The Báb taught people to see women as equal to men, end extreme poverty, and live spiritual lives. He said a new Messenger would soon appear.

The shah of Iran, or king, expected that sending Bahá’u’lláh away would stop His growing influence as a Bábí leader. However, exile had the opposite effect—Bahá’u’lláh’s kindness and love attracted people to Him wherever He went! The Bábí community in Baghdad grew, and they became known and respected for their integrity. Bahá’u’lláh taught people—by His words and actions—to be more honest, trustworthy, patient, kind, and generous. He sent gifts to everyone in His neighborhood—especially the poor and disabled.

In Baghdad, Bahá’u’lláh visited a coffeehouse every day. Along the road where He walked, an elderly woman who was very poor lived in a run-down house. Despite her age, the woman went to the roadside every day to wait for Bahá’u’lláh to pass. He always stopped, asked about her health, and gave her some money. She kissed His hands in gratitude, and sometimes she tried to kiss His face. The woman was so short, He had to bend down for her to reach Him.

In Baghdad in the 19th century, coffeehouses were popular meeting places for conversation. People often gathered in such settings to discuss religious teachings.

"She knows that I like her," Bahá’u’lláh told His companions. "That is why she likes Me." When He left Baghdad in 1863, He made sure she had an allowance and was taken care of for the rest of her days.

Bahá’u’lláh made many new friends during His 10 years in Baghdad. He was admired by rich and poor, scholars, government officials, and merchants. In fact, when it came time for Him to leave, so many people from all walks of life crowded His home that there wasn’t room for everyone. He didn’t turn them away. Instead, He invited them to join Him in a garden called Ridván ("Paradise" in Arabic), where they could say goodbye and enjoy the blessings of His love and friendship one last time.

In this garden, Bahá’u’lláh announced His station as a Messenger of God—the Messenger that the Báb had announced almost 20 years earlier. In the coming years, His religion grew. Today, the Bahá’í Faith’s message of peace continues to spread around the world. [Page 7]“Now is the time to cheer and refresh the down-cast through the invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity.” —Bahá’u’lláh

Many people had grown to love Bahá’u’lláh during His 10 years in Baghdád. They lined the roads and rooftops to wave goodbye when He left the city for the Riḍván Garden on the Tigris River.

Find these qualities of a true friend.

Look for words going backward, forward, up, down, or diagonally.

CARING COMPASSIONATE ENCOURAGING FORGIVING FRIENDLY GENEROUS HONEST JOYFUL KIND LOVING NURTURING PATIENT RESPECTFUL SHARING SUPPORTIVE THOUGHTFUL TRUSTWORTHY UNDERSTANDING

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[Page 8]

Smooth Sailing

You and your friends are ready for the big boat race. But instead of cruising in a speedy sailboat, your crew launches a cool watercraft you invented from recyclables!

It takes imagination and teamwork to turn plastic bottles, duct tape, and cardboard into a water-worthy vessel. Like any group project, there are challenges to navigate. When you’re charting your path, start by inviting your crew to consult about a plan of action. When suggestions are made, the ideas belong to the group, not one individual. The team votes as needed to arrive at decisions that everyone agrees to support.

With tools like respectful listening, honesty, and working in unity at the helm, your team and service project are bound to stay buoyant. Now you’re heading for victory! [Page 9]At this boat race, find 12 items that help kids work together and sail to the finish line.

• Creative Cardboard
• Considerate Cooler
• Dependable Duct Tape
• Friendly Flag
• Helpful Hammer
• Patient Paddle
• Sail of Sincerity
• Respectful Rope
• Loyal Life Jacket
• Humble Hat
• Flexible Float
• Faithful Flashlight

TIPS FOR TEAMWORK

• Elect a “captain” to help things stay on course.
• Give everyone a chance to share ideas.
• Listen without interrupting or arguing.
• Speak with courtesy and kindness.
• Keep the spirit fun and creative.
• Follow the decision made by the majority.

[Page 10]

Cooperative Crocs

Whether you’re playing a game or helping with chores, you cooperate with your family every day. But did you know that crocodiles start working together even before they’re hatched?

A mother Nile crocodile digs a hole and buries her eggs, then guards them. When they’re ready, from inside the eggs, the babies all call out to Mom and each other that it’s time to hatch. The chorus is loud enough for even humans to hear.

After they hatch, Mom carries them to the water — in her mouth! The baby crocs help each other survive, too. If one sounds a special cry to warn others of danger, all repeat it to alert Mom, who protects them.

Using teamwork, you and your family can watch out for one another—and have fun together. Sometimes you might get frustrated with each other, but with kindness and clear communication, your brothers, sisters, and cousins can be some of your best friends.

MATCH THE CROCODILE EGGS TO FORM NINE WORDS THAT CAN HELP FAMILIES GET ALONG.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

CROCODILES CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH UNDERWATER FOR OVER AN HOUR!

LIST, PA, TEAM, NESS, ENING, PATHY, HELP, PORTIVE, RE, ERATE, SPECT, SUP, EM, COOP, FAIR, FUL, TIENCE, WORK [Page 11]

EXPLORE AND PROTECT THE EARTH AND ITS CREATURES

WE ARE ONE

“All the members of this endless universe are linked one to another.” —Bahá’í Writings

EARTH-SAVING TIP

Trash Talk

Toss litter when you see it. Cleaning up litter in the U.S. alone costs over $11 billion a year! That’s about 30 cents per piece of litter.

WOW, REALLY?

60% of large plant-eating animals, including elephants and gorillas, are at risk of extinction, due in part from loss of habitat and hunting.

OUR CONNECTIONS

Building the International Space Station (ISS) was an awesome feat of global cooperation. Launched in 1998, it’s supported by 16 countries—the U.S., Canada, Russia, Japan, Brazil, and 11 European nations. Complex pieces built in different countries were assembled for the first time in orbit. Astronauts on the ISS study many things, including how to grow plants in space for food and oxygen. When we solve that puzzle, the next stop might be Mars!

PROTECTING OUR PLANET

Boyan Slat, a Dutch engineering student, founded The Ocean Cleanup when he was 19. Now, his team of 100 scientists is developing floating barriers that funnel plastic into collectors. He won a 2014 UNEP Champions of the Earth Award and says, “Taking care of the world’s ocean garbage problem is one of the largest environmental challenges mankind faces today.”

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

In the Andes desert, an evaporated lake created the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni. Stretching over 4,085 square miles (10,590 sq km), it’s so flat that a little coating of rain turns it into a giant mirror. Unscramble the letters to find its location:

VIALOBI _ _ _ _ _ _ _

AMAZING ANIMALS

These wild goats live high in the European Alps. They are strong jumpers that can climb nearly vertical slopes. A fawn can follow its mother over tricky terrain soon after birth. Fill in the blanks to find their name:

AL _ IN _ IB _ X _ S

Images: Elephants by Villiers Steyn; ISS by NASA; Boyan Slat by TheOceanCleanup.com; salt flat by abc7; goats by bikeriderlondon [Page 12]

RADIANT STARS

Getting to know kids who shine

Connect with kids around the world! How are they like you? How are they different? Each of us has a unique story to tell. What’s yours?

Paula Celeste Martinez

Age: 11

I live in: Illinois, U.S.

I want to be: A writer

This career interests me because: I read a lot and love telling stories.

Virtue I admire most: Kindness

Hobbies or sports: Reading fantasy and graphic novels

Favorite Bahá’í activities: Taking flowers to a nursing home with my children’s class

A favorite food: Popsicles

A hero or role model: Malala Yousafzai

I like to help people by: Being helpful to my parents around the house

Top three qualities of a good friend: Loyalty, patience, open-mindedness

To make new friends: Introduce yourself and start a conversation.

To show friends I care: [I spend] quality time with them.

To work out a disagreement with a friend: We talk about what went wrong and apologize.

A nice thing a friend did: My friend Ella has been my best friend for six years. She has stood by me no matter what.

Adam Kielhorn

Age: 12

I live in: California, U.S.

I want to be: A mechanic

This career interests me because: I like to find out how things work.

Virtue I admire most: Helpfulness

Hobby or sport: Swimming

Places I’d love to visit: Hawaii or Italy

A favorite food: Lasagna

Top three qualities of a good friend: Truthfulness . . . being open to new ideas . . . [and being] respectful

To work out a disagreement with a friend: Play “rock, paper, scissors.”

To make new friends: Introduce yourself, play games with them, [and] keep in contact with them.

To show friends I care: I always greet them, listen to them, and keep [in] contact.

A nice thing a friend did: Introduced me to my new school in California . . . After our move from Switzerland . . . I felt really nervous. But now, 3–4 years later, I have a lot of great friends.

Nuora Ghorbani

Age: 12

I live in: Washington, U.S.

I want to be: Professional violin player

This career interests me because: When I play, it makes others happy, and I forever want to do . . . that.

Favorite Bahá’í activity: My junior youth class is amazing!

A favorite book: The Titan’s Curse . . .

A hero or role model: Besides my mom and sister, Lindsey Stirling is amazing!

I like to help people by: I . . . love [to] help cook and serve [at] food banks.

Top three qualities of a good friend: Loyal, funny, and outgoing

To make new friends: Always be confident, nice, and treat others how you want to be treated.

To work out a disagreement with a friend: [Talk] to them and [be] honest about how you feel. Being honest is the best.

To show friends I care: I always let [them] know that I am and will always be there for them, no matter what. [Page 13]“God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Emma Élise Nelson

Age: 11

I live in: British Columbia, Canada

I want to be: A scientist who finds cures for cancer and other diseases

Virtue I admire most: Honesty

Hobbies or sports: I enjoy playing the violin, singing [in] a choir, knitting, and playing soccer.

Favorite Bahá’í activities: Going on pilgrimage and prayer

Places I’d love to visit: Haifa, Israel (again), Australia, and Africa

A hero or role model: Táhirih, because I hope to always have the courage to stand up for what is right.

A favorite food: Sushi

Top three qualities of a good friend: Honesty, kindness, and compassion

To work out a disagreement with a friend: [I talk] about it with my mom and . . . a friend . . .

To show friends I care: [I bring] them souvenirs from other places in the world and [make] . . . gifts.

A nice thing a friend did: My cousins, my aunt, and my grandmaman all took the time to teach me how to knit . . .

Serena Miller-Muro

Age: 11

I live in: Virginia, U.S.

I want to be: A teacher and part-time author

This career interests me because: I have always admired the way the author . . . makes the story come to life. I want to be a teacher because . . . I wanted . . . to take on the responsibility of nurturing students’ minds.

Favorite animal or pet: [My] pet guinea pig named Caramel

Places I’d love to visit: Italy and Tokyo, Japan

I like to help people by: Making them believe in themselves

A favorite book: The School for Good and Evil

Top three qualities of a good friend: Kindness, creativity, and they have to be open to new things in life . . .

A hero or role model: Shakira, because she started a school for children . . .

To make new friends: Let your friendship form through trust . . . They should like you for you!

To work out a disagreement with a friend: Apologize to one another, and open up to each other about how you feel . . . It’s not good to keep unwanted feelings cooped up inside of you.

Cory Ming-Yu Yan

Age: 9

I live in: Texas, U.S.

I want to be: A scientist and explorer

This career interests me because: I enjoy learning about nature.

Virtue I admire most: Kindness/being nice

Hobbies or sports: Being outside/in nature . . . soccer, basketball

Favorite Bahá’í activities: All children’s classes

Favorite animals or pets: Falcons . . . [and] dogs

Places I’d love to visit: China, India, Alaska, South America, Hawaii

A favorite food: Broccoli and strawberries

Top three qualities of a good friend: Being kind, fair, and fun!

To make new friends: Go up to the person and talk to them. Ask for their name, and ask if they want to be your friend/to play.

To show friends I care: [I let] them do what they want to do/play, not what [I] want to do/play.

A nice thing a friend did: Stand up against a bully

How to be a Radiant Star:

1. If you’re age 7–14, go to www.brilliantstarmagazine.org and choose “Explore,” then “Bahá’ís & Friends in Action,” then “Radiant Stars.” Click “Apply Now” and fill out the form. Or e-mail us at brilliant@usbnc.org. Include your name, age, birth date, mailing address, and phone number.
2. When it’s your turn to shine, we’ll send you questions and a form for you and your parents to sign.
3. Answer the questions and send them to us with the signed form, along with at least two good-quality, close-up photographs of your smiling face. Photos should be in sharp focus and show your eyes clearly. Please don’t send color copies, low-resolution digital images, or copyright-protected images (like school portraits).

[Page 14]

FINDING FRIENDS

Riding a bike can seem scary at first. You might hit a bump and wipe out. But think of the fun you'd miss if you never tried.

It's the same with making friends. If you're nervous about meeting new people, focus on the thrill of the ride-finding great new friends. You can start by looking for kids with common interests. Say hi to kids you see at school or in your neighborhood. Talk to them a few times. If they seem friendly, ask your parents if it's okay to invite them to hang out.

Widen your view of who could be a friend, too. It's fun to meet people who open your eyes to new interests. You can also share your hobbies. Having diverse friends adds adventure as you ride through life.

How are your friend-making skills? Circle your answer under each statement, then add up your points.

1. If someone invites me to hang out, I respond in a friendly way. If I can't make it, I suggest another time. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

2. I look for clubs or service projects so I can meet new people and learn new things. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

3. I'm kind and respectful to others, even if they're not my good friends. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

4. When I meet new people, I remember to just be myself and not try to impress them. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

5. I smile and say hi to new people I meet. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

6. I watch for ways to be helpful to people, like holding a door open or explaining a hard math problem. Often 3 Sometimes 2 Rarely = 1

7. I don't make snap judgments about people based on their looks. I try to get to know who they really are. Often 3 Sometimes 2 Rarely = 1

8. If a kid comes up to my group of friends, I invite him or her to join us. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

9. I go to school activities, like carnivals and sporting events, and talk with other kids I see there. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

10. I ask my friends to invite their other friends to hang out with us. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

11. If I notice kids who look lonely or left out, I talk to them. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

12. If someone declines my invitation, I don't take it personally, and I'm still friendly to the person. Often 3 Sometimes = 2 Rarely = 1

SCORING

36-28 points: You're doing a great job of reaching out to friends. Your ride is going smoothly!

MY TOTAL:

27-20 points: You've made a good start at finding friends. Try a tip from the quiz to keep gliding along.

19-12 points: You can pump up your friendship skills. Get things rolling by trying some tips from the quiz. [Page 15]

Let Your Kite Fly!

COLOR & FIND

“Just be yourself!” Have you ever found it hard to follow this advice? Sometimes you may feel alone or left out. Maybe you’re the new kid in town or the only one at school with your religious or ethnic background. Maybe nobody you know is as crazy about robots or cooking or music as you are. Don’t let being different hold you down. Celebrate what makes you unique! If you can’t find kids who share your interests, look for friends who appreciate new ideas. If it takes a while to find them, try helping those in need or connecting with distant friends and family. Invite kids you’d like to know better to hang out with you. When you’re true to yourself, your spirit—and your friendships—can fly high.

Decorate the kite with what makes your spirit soar. Then color the scene and find these:

• dolphin
• dragon
• musical note
• panda
• robot
• sketchbook
• soccer ball
• skateboard

Answers: Dolphin at BR, dragon at BC, musical note at BL, panda at BL, robot at BR, sketchbook at BR, soccer ball at TR, skateboard at TL. [Page 16]

ASK A SPACE SCIENTIST

Our universe is full of mysteries, and some of the most mind-boggling are in space. Curious kids asked questions, and we sent them to two Bahá’í friends who work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Have questions about space? Send them to brilliant@usbnc.org (with your name and birth date).

What makes the stars so bright that you can see them from Earth? — Paziano, age 8

Hi, Paziano,

Though stars seem to fill the night sky, they are very far away. We see only a small number of the more than 70 billion trillion stars that scientists estimate are close enough for us to observe. Each star is massive. Though our sun is just an average-sized star, you could fit more than 1.3 million Earths inside of it!

Stars are mostly hydrogen, and they shine so brightly because these hydrogen atoms deep inside the star are under such high pressure and temperature (millions of degrees!) that they fuse together to form another element—helium.

The energy released by fusion raises the temperature throughout the star. So we can see the stars because they are big and they are super hot!

—Steve

Why does the moon affect the ocean’s waves? — Ella, age 10

Hi, Ella,

Earth’s gravity attracts the moon and keeps it in orbit around our planet. But the moon’s gravity also attracts Earth. This attraction pulls on the water in the ocean, causing high and low tides you may have noticed at a beach. The tides are really very large ocean waves. Ocean waves you see breaking at the beach are mostly caused by the wind, but they’re also affected by the tides.

—Steve

BACK IN TIME

Galileo Galilei discovered the four largest moons of this planet in 1610 with a homemade telescope. Since then, at least 46 more moons have been found orbiting the planet!

Fill in the blanks to find its name:

_ U _ I _ E _

The four moons Galileo discovered were later named:

A) Rotini, Manicotti, Tortellini, Linguine B) Ganymede, Europa, Callisto, Io C) Luna, Amar, Mond, Bulan D) Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo [Page 17]Do you think there is life on other planets? -Kai, age 14

Hi, Kai, Bahá’ís believe the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, who stated in the 1800s that "every fixed star hath its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose number no man can compute." Scientists confirmed in 2012 that every star hosts at least one planet.

Given that galaxies have an average of about 700 billion stars (our Milky Way has around 300 billion), and we estimate there are 100 billion galaxies in the part of the universe we can see, we know of about 70 billion trillion stars. That's 7 with 22 zeroes!

Our solar system has eight major planets and hundreds of dwarf planets. If we estimate each star has 10 planets, then we know of 700 billion trillion planets. Do you think that in a universe where all these uncountable stars and planets are made from the same elements (but combined in limitless ways), and these elements support life on Earth, it could be possible that life arose on only one planet?

I believe the universe was designed to generate life. While our solar system demonstrates life is rare and precious (since we've only found it on one planet here), there are enough stars for me to argue that the universe is teeming with life. -George

STEVE SCOTTI

STEVE SCOTTI is a research engineer at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia, U.S. He works to develop lighter, stronger materials and structures for aircraft and spacecraft. Watching the first astronaut launched into space inspired his interest in space exploration. He enjoys sharing his enthusiasm about science and space with kids.

COSMIC QUIZ

An Astronomical Unit (AU) is: A) Equal to the distance between the sun and Earth B) About 93 million miles (150 million km) C) Currency used to pay astronauts D) Both A and B

This answer is D. Our solar system is so huge that we measure distances in AU.

Images: NASA, Alhovik (moon), and Bobboz (solar system)

GEORGE HATCHER

GEORGE HATCHER is an avionics engineer at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, U.S. He works on electrical systems of uncrewed rockets. He also studies planetary science at the University of Central Florida. Working for NASA is a dream come true for George. He's aspired to be an astronaut since he was three. He's one of 100 finalists in the Mars One Project, which aims to create a human settlement on Mars. [Page 18]BAXTER AND BRIDGET

LIGHTNING & LUNA

DEAD END

1. 64

DEEP IN THE CAVES . . .

LUNAAAA, HELP!

STAY BACK!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

I FOLLOWED LUNA TO HELP HER.

WHERE IS SHE?

SHE’S STUCK IN THERE! SHE SAID THERE’S A HIDDEN CHAMBER.

LUNA! LUNA, REPORT!

I’M IN A SECRET CHAMBER . . .

ANCIENT SYMBOLS . . . AMAZING!

WE HAVE TO PROTECT THIS PLACE!

MEANWHILE, ON THE SOLAR TOWER . . .

I CAN’T ZAP THE BOTS GOING UNDERGROUND!

HANG IN THERE. YOU’RE DOING GREAT. I’VE ALMOST FINISHED THE VIRUS TO SHUT THEM DOWN.

LIGHTNING! I SENT THE PROGRAM TO YOUR UPAD THAT WILL DISABLE THE BOTS—BUT ONLY FOR 30 SECONDS!

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN 30 SECONDS? DESTROY THEM?

NO, THEY MIGHT STILL DETONATE!

IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CAVES . . .

UH, GOTTA GO NOW.

BE CAREFUL, LIGHTNING!

OK. WHAT CAN I DO WITH 30 SECONDS? I KNOW! DRAIN THE POWER—THEN THE BOMB CAN’T BE TRIGGERED.

OK, CREEPY ROBOT. TIME FOR A NAP.

UGG! I HOPE I DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS A LOT—I’LL TAKE IN TOO MUCH ELECTRICITY. [Page 19]

OUTSIDE THE HIDDEN CHAMBER...

HUGO HAVOC!

WHERE’S THE SECRET WEAPON? FURY TOLD ME IT’S HERE.

WEAPON? FURY LIED.

YOU’RE LYIN’!

ZAAAAAAP

OUT OF MY WAY!

RUUUUMMBLE

I’M GOIN’ IN FOR THE SECRET WEAPON! LUGO, STAY HERE!

WHAT? I’VE HELPED ALL ALONG, BUT YOU WANT ALL THE POWER!

I’M COMIN’ TOO!

GET ON OR GET OUT! TAKE YER PICK. JUST HURRY UP!

WHERE IS IT? WHERE’S THE WEAPON?

NOTHIN’ HERE BUT OLD PAINTIN’.

MAYBE FURY REALLY DID LIE.

I’M GONNA DESTROY THOSE LYIN’ UPLIFTERS! STARTIN’ WITH THIS ONE!

NO! STOP!

CHECK OUT PAST EPISODES OF LIGHTNING & LUNA AT WWW.BRILLIANTSTARMAGAZINE.ORG [Page 20]

All Aboard! Make an Origami

Bon Voyage! With excitement, you set sail on an ocean adventure. Eager and nervous, you wonder about your journey: "Will the weather let me stay on course? Will people be friendly? Did I prepare well enough?"

In a similar way, friendships can take us on fun-filled expeditions or into stormy seas. With an open mind and a kind heart, you’ll discover when to make waves and when to go with the flow. You’ll also be ready to navigate obstacles you meet.

If your plans with a friend get blown off course, stay positive and calm. If someone’s upset with you, listen respectfully and try to see their point of view. If your friend’s spirit sinks, you can offer the lifesavers of love and encouragement.

THIS IS FOR OUR GREAT FRIENDSHIP!

Friend Shie

THANK YOU!

You’ll Need

• 72" x 9" (19 x 24 cm) sheet of colorful paper thin twine • life ring-shaped mints • pen • 22" x 12" (6.4 x 3.8 cm) paper triangle toothpick • nontoxic thick white glue

1 Fold paper in half so short ends meet.

2 Fold down top corners so they meet.

3 (A) Fold top rectangle flap up. Fold its corners down to meet triangle’s edges. (B) Flip paper over and repeat folds.

Fold here [Page 21]

Nur's Nook

Friend-SHIP

4 Push triangle's closed sides together until creases meet at center lines to form diamond shape. Press flat.

6 On triangle's open base, press corners in to meet, so paper forms diamond shape. Press flat.

5 (A) Fold upper flap up and crease it at diamond's center. (B) Flip paper over and repeat fold.

7 (A) Pull diamond's flaps down to sides. Press flat. (B) Open sides and base slightly, so ship stands up.

Put twine "rope" and candy "life rings" in boat. For flag, write "FriendShip" on paper triangle. Glue triangle to toothpick, then glue flag to ship. [Page 22]

Maya's MYSTERIES

"See with the eyes of the spirit, hear with spiritual ears and also comprehend with a Divinely enlightened heart." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

IT FEELS GOOD WHEN A FRIEND REALLY LISTENS. AND I LOVE HEARING WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!

GIFT OF LISTENING

Does this ever happen to you? I'm listening to a friend, and suddenly I think of something and just wait for her to stop talking. Not cool, right? Sometimes I have to remember to slow down and focus on my friends, no matter how excited I get about my own ideas.

I know I appreciate it when my best friend really listens and understands—like when I get on a roll about recycling or a cool science experiment. And my best friend is great at seeing things from other people's points of view, even if she doesn't agree with them.

Even though it's not wrapped up in a box, listening is a wonderful gift to give to others. I'm going to get better at it!

TEST YOUR SKILLS

How do you act when you're listening to a friend? Circle your answers, then add up your points.

1. I turn off distractions, like phones, games, or TV. Often—3 Sometimes—2 Rarely—1

2. I make eye contact. Often—3. Sometimes=2 • Rarely=1

3. I try to put myself in my friend's place and understand how they feel. Often—3 Sometimes=2 Rarely=1

4. I'm patient and don't interrupt my friend. Often—3 Sometimes=2 Rarely=1

5. I nod or say something brief to show that I'm paying attention. Often—3 Sometimes=2. Rarely=1

6. I respect my friend's feelings, even if I don't agree with them. Often—3 Sometimes=2 Rarely=1

7. I let my friend finish talking before I ask a question. Often—3. Sometimes=2. Rarely=1

8. I watch my friend's body language, like tone of voice and facial expression. Often—3 Sometimes—2 Rarely—1

9. If my friend is worried, I focus on my friend, not my similar problem. Often—3 Sometimes=2 Rarely=1

10. If it feels right, I ask if I can do something to help. Often—3 Sometimes=2 Rarely=1

11. I focus on what my friend is saying, not what I'll say next. Often—3. Sometimes=2. Rarely=1

12. I only offer advice if asked. Often—3 • Sometimes=2. Rarely=1

SCORING

MY TOTAL:

36-28 points: You're doing great at giving the gift of listening to your friends. Keep it up!

27-20 points: You're a good listener most of the time. Check the quiz for even more ideas.

19-12 points: You can sharpen your listening skills. Pick tips from the quiz and try them out.

Call Maya

FIND ANSWERS IN YOUR HEART

[Page 23]

CHALLENGING CHOICES

How would you help someone deal with bullying? What if a friend revealed a sensitive secret and asked you not to tell anyone? What would you do if you witnessed a friend cheating on a test? In this game, you and your friends decide on the best solutions to a series of dilemmas.

HOW TO PLAY

YOU'LL NEED: 4-6 players, paper and a pen or pencil for each player, a box or other container

SET-UP: Write the dilemmas below on small pieces of paper, and put them in the box. Add 5-10 more dilemmas from your own experiences or imagination.

PLAYING: Take turns being the leader. The leader chooses a dilemma from the box and reads it aloud. Give players two minutes to think and write down what they would do in that situation.

Give the answers to the leader, who numbers them (so they're anonymous) and reads them aloud. Everyone writes down their vote for the best solution. Don't vote for your own idea unless you feel strongly that it's the best. The person whose solution receives the most votes gets a point. If there's a tie, both get one point.

WINNING: Whoever reaches three points first wins the game. If multiple players reach three points in the same round, keep playing until one person takes the lead and wins the game.

DILEMMAS

1 A new kid arrives in your class. A few kids start making fun of his appearance and cultural background. Others think it's funny and laugh.

2 Two of your friends are in a fight. Each one keeps talking to you about the other one, trying to get you to take their side.

3 You're in a youth group gathering, and a few kids spend the whole time playing on their phones, making the rest of the group feel irritated.

4 You're in an online game, chatting with a person you've never met. She wants to meet in person, but you know it wouldn't be safe.

5 A friend unkindly teases you about your looks and hurts your feelings. Then she tells you to lighten up, because she was just kidding.

6 Some kids ask about your religion, and when you tell them about it, they make negative comments and say it sounds really weird.

7 One of your friends has become very quiet and sad lately. He says everything is fine, but his character has changed. You can tell something is wrong.

8 You're at a new school. You want to join a group that sounds fun, but at the first meeting, the kids don't seem friendly and welcoming. [Page 24]

Great Escapes

Adapted from an Indian fable

In the Himalaya mountains of India, four friends gathered along a river in the shade of the pines—Crow, Rat, Turtle, and Deer. On hot afternoons, they rested, drank the cool water, and told stories.

One day, Crow, Rat, and Turtle were waiting for Deer. "What do you call a mountain who can tell the best jokes?" asked Turtle. "Hill-arious!"

The friends laughed. But time passed, with no Deer. "I hope Deer isn't in trouble," Turtle said.

Rat gobbled a zunna berry. "He's usually here by now."

"I'll look for him," said Crow. She flew off to scan the forest with her sharp eyesight.

Soon she was back, cawing with fright. "Monkey said Deer is caught in a hunter's net in the valley!"

"Oh, no! How can we rescue him?" cried Turtle.

Rat tapped his strong front teeth. "I'll chew through the net. But we have to get to him in time."

"I'll take you," said Crow. "Climb on my back."

Rat held tight to Crow's feathers. "We'll be back with Deer in a jiffy," he called to Turtle.

Crow circled high above the trees, searching. "This is terrible. What if we're too late?" said Rat.

"We'll find him," Crow said.

"Go lower. Maybe I can smell him." Rat sniffed. Soon he said, "Fly over there—to the south."

Crow followed his directions, trusting Rat's keen nose. "Go that way." Rat shouted, pointing. "Now over there."

"Look—there he is!" Rat cried.

When they reached him, Deer said, "Watch out! There are two hunters after me—Manav and Arman."

Rat started chewing frantically on the net.

"I was running from one," Deer said, "but the other caught me in this net. Hurry, they'll be back soon."

Rat chewed faster. Finally Deer squeezed out. "How can I ever thank you, friends?" he exclaimed.

Just then, they heard rustling nearby. "It's the hunters!" said Deer, trembling. "Run!"

Then Turtle appeared.

"Turtle, what are you doing here?" asked Crow.

Though tired from the journey, Turtle smiled at Deer. "I can't rest while you're in danger. I'm glad you're free."

Deer nudged Turtle affectionately with his nose. "You're such a good friend. But you'd better get back before the hunters come. I can run, and Rat can hide, and Crow can fly away, but you won't be safe."

"I'll see you back at the river," Turtle agreed.

But before they were out of the clearing, Manav crashed through the woods, muttering angrily, "That fool, Arman, left the deer alone!"

At the sound of the hunter's thundering voice, Crow shot upward. Rat dove into a pile of leaves, and Deer dashed through the trees. Only Turtle was left. [Page 25]Manav grabbed what was left of the empty net and shook it in disgust. “Argghhh!”

He spotted Turtle. “Hmmm, what’s this? You’re no deer, but you’re better than nothing. Turtle soup for me tonight. None for Arman—he lost the deer.”

He seized Turtle and stuffed her into his sack. Then he pulled the string tight and marched off.

Crow, Deer, and Rat peered into the clearing.

Deer said, “We have to save Turtle.”

Crow said, “If we get the sack away from the hunter, Rat can gnaw the string.”

“But how do we get the sack?” asked Rat.

Deer said, “I can distract him. Maybe he’ll let go of Turtle to run after me.”

“That’s risky,” said Crow.

“I don’t mind,” said Deer. “Turtle only left the river because she was worried about me.”

Rat squinted through the trees. “But he’s long gone.”

“I’ll find him,” said Crow. She soared upward and soon spotted Manav.

“Just go north through these trees,” she said.

Deer ran off, with Rat scampering behind him. Crow soared above, watching for Arman.

Deer came up behind Manav, and the hunter spun around. “Ah, you’re back. I’ll get you this time!”

Manav dropped the sack with Turtle inside. Deer scurried away. Manav chased him, panting with effort.

Rat gnawed the string that tied the sack, and Turtle climbed out. “Thank you for saving me!” she cried.

Deer lured Manav far away, until the hunter could no longer run. Then Deer dashed back to his friends.

Angrier than ever, Manav trudged back to get his sack. “Stupid deer. Now where did I leave that turtle?”

He spotted the sack and snatched it up—but it was empty. He stomped his feet, yelling, “Nooo!”

Arman rushed up to him. “Manav, I heard you yell. Did you find the deer?”

Manav sputtered, “I found it—lost it—found a turtle—lost that, too. Arghh, worst hunting ever! Why did you leave the deer? I told you to stay with it.”

Arman held up his full sack. “I found us some fruit. How did we lose the deer? It was wrapped up tight.”

“It—it escaped—somehow.” Manav looked over his shoulder. “Maybe someone is playing tricks on us.”

Arman chuckled. “Or maybe the animals are smarter than we thought.” He reached into his sack and held out a pear. “Here. At least the fruit can’t run away.”

As Manav bit into the juicy pear, he remembered how he had planned to hide Turtle from his friend.

“Thank you for sharing,” he said.

Later, Crow, Rat, Turtle, and Deer laughed, remembering Manav’s face when he found the empty sack.

“Wow, we had two great escapes today,” sighed Rat. “How about tomorrow, we just go swimming?”

“It warms my shell to know that you risked your lives to help me,” said Turtle.

“Of course we did,” said Deer, taking a drink from the river. “True friends always save the day.” [Page 26]

Louie Shelton

Louie Shelton was passionate about music as a kid. He learned the guitar on his own, and he would practice for hours. By the age of 12, he was performing live and on radio and TV! Louie was about 25 when he reached a big goal—working as a session guitarist in Los Angeles. For years, he backed top stars such as Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, and John Lennon.

Louie wanted to help other musicians do their best work, so he started producing albums for bands such as Seals and Crofts, whose recordings sold millions of copies. He also created his own solo albums and opened studios in the U.S. and Australia.

In 2009, Louie was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. He lives in Queensland, Australia, with his wife Donnie, where he works in a music studio he built himself.

Q: What's your favorite childhood memory?

A: We... moved... into the wilderness of Arkansas. So I was able to be sort of like Huckleberry Finn and run through the woods barefooted and [pick] wild blackberries... Also ... at the age of three, I was already listening to music on the radio and wishing I had a guitar, because I would pretend I was playing a guitar with the broom...

Q: What was the most challenging experience for you as a kid?

A: School... My mind was always wandering... I would sit in the classroom and draw pictures of guitars... The funny thing is, school was very easy for me... Workshop was my favorite class, because it was more of a physical kind of thing, where I learned how to do mechanical drawings and... could make something...

Louie (far right), age 12, played with a popular band in the southern U.S., Shelby Cooper & the Dixie Mountaineers.

Q: How did you get started in music?

A: I got my first guitar when I was nine years old. And I really can't remember not being able to play it, because it just came to me so naturally. And it sort of taught me that if you can find something that you have a talent for, and it comes easy for you and you love it... you've got a head start on something that you can use for the rest of your life... The fact that I loved what I was doing made me work harder...

Q: Do you recommend guitar-playing to kids?

A: The good thing about the guitar for young people is that you don't have to be a virtuoso to really enjoy it... You only need to know three or four chords almost to play any top song... You can learn enough that you can enjoy playing songs at parties or at functions, and you have that for your whole life... [Page 27]

Questions and Answers with an Inspirational Bahá’í

Top Left: Louie performed a solo in Lionel Richie's song, "Hello." Above: The Musicians Hall of Fame inducted Louie in 2009. Left: Louie and his wife, Donnie, with some of their grandchildren.

Q: What's a session player? A: Solo artists... usually don't have a band... They usually use the guys that are known for being session musicians... learned all the rock 'n' roll... the blues... the country. So when I got into the session, it didn't matter ... what kind of music they were doing... when they wanted a guitar solo... I would just start playing... I never had any formal training... everything I do is by ear.

Q: How'd you become a producer? A: [When] I was...a session player... There would be a producer that was... calling the shots. And I was observant. And I thought, I could do that... The producer [is]... like the director of a movie. You're helping pick the songs. You're helping with the arrangement of the songs. You're responsible for the recording and everything that's involved.

Q: What's one of your most memorable experiences as a studio musician? A: When I recorded with Barbra Streisand ... She wanted to sit there and work on the song and be part of the process, rather than just putting her voice on top of other people's ideas... Another... is when... Diana Ross brought in these... guys and introduced them and said, "This is the Jackson Five, and we're going to make them a star." And we'd never heard of them... But I'll never forget that day, because she certainly was right... Michael [Jackson] was so talented.

Q: How did becoming a Bahá’í affect your life in the music business? A: After I became a Bahá’í, there were so many situations throughout my career... [when I was] able to make... the right decisions... Drugs were very rampant in the music industry, and I saw it ruin a lot of people. And thankfully, I never fell into that, and I'm very glad, because I've had a very happy and successful life as a family, which has always been very important to me, before anything else. I owe that to the... Bahá’í teachings.

Q: If you had one wish for Brilliant Star's readers, what would it be? A: Find something in life that you love and makes you happy and where you can contribute something to mankind and always be a shining light to others. And always, whenever you're in a situation where you're not quite sure how to handle it, just ask yourself, What would ‘Abdu’l-Bahá do?... It's helped me many times when... there was a difficult situation. [Page 28]

Shield of Self-Respect

hat do you do when someone insults you or calls you names? Put-downs can be bullying, like darts that are meant to sting you.

But you have the power to block those darts! Tell yourself that you're a noble being, and your self-respect is like an invisible shield. Imagine the darts bouncing off of your shield without hurting you.

Shielding yourself can help you stay cool and respond wisely. Try not to show a kid who bullies you that you're upset. It's often best to calmly walk away. If the kid doesn't stop or gets physical, talk to your parents or another trusted adult.

Not all names and teasing are bullying. Sometimes friends have fun with positive nicknames, like "Flash" for a quick runner. Or a friend might tease you in a gentle way, to make you laugh.

How do you know if teasing is okay? Check the lists below.

POP 1 to WIN

culture shield happy balloon fun dart respect bully pushing like positive talking out name feel joke tell stop gossip voice

In this carnival game, search the balloons for missing words and fill them in.

DARTS THAT STING

2. The kids don't stop when you they're bothering you. 3. They spread rumors or about you. 1. You hurt or angry when you hear the nickname or comments. 4. Violence, such as or hitting. 5. You feel left and excluded from activities. 6. Making fun of a , faith, or language.

FRIENDLY FUN

1. The kids use a friendly tone of. the kids, and you feel they like you. and laugh with the kids who 2. 3. You can are teasing you. 4. The kids are with you, not showing off for other friends. 5. The nicknames are all . 6. The kids if you ask them to. [Page 29]

Be a friend to You

YOUR NAME

If your friends made a mistake, would you tell them they’re terrible? Call them bad names? Of course not! But do you ever say negative things to yourself?

No one is perfect. We all have strengths and weaknesses. When you make a mistake, think about what you can learn from it. Then forgive yourself and move on, just as you would with your loved ones.

If you feel harsh thoughts creeping in, replace them with compassionate ones. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself. Learn how to encourage yourself, and you’ll have a good friend who’s always with you!

How can you be a friend to yourself?

Write and draw your ideas.

• Four things I love to do for fun:
• My strengths or virtues
• A place where I feel peaceful:
• Two favorite accomplishments
• Qualities of a friend I can also use with myself:
• Prayer or quote that makes me happy
• When I make a mistake, I remember:
• favorite ways I like to be active:

[Page 30]

How Embarrassing!

You’re headed to a cafeteria table, plate piled high. Suddenly, you slip on the wet floor. Your tray flies up, you fall flat, and your lunch spills all over! Kids start laughing. What will you do? Chances are, you’ll blush. When you’re embarrassed, the hormone adrenaline is released. Your heart beats faster, and blood flow increases. Scientists don’t know why it happens, but we all know how it feels.

Besides hiding under a table, there are things you can do to ease your embarrassment. Try not to get upset. Admit that you feel silly. If kids tease you, laugh along and say, “Yeah, that must have looked hilarious!”

If friends have awkward moments and you can’t help laughing, you can apologize. Reassure them that you know how they feel. Embarrassing moments can seem agonizing when they happen. But everybody has them—they’re all part of the adventure of being human.

In this scene, find 11 kids in embarrassing situations. What would you do?

Answers: Ripped shirt at TL, spilled cans and empty pockets at TC, wrong bathroom at TR, spilled tray at CR, ketchup at BR, falling chair at BC, grade at BL, water at CL, tripping and spilled food at C. [Page 31]

STAND UP AGAINST BULYING

"Justice must be sacred, and the rights of all the people must be considered." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

What do you do when you see a kid getting bullied? What if someone picks on you? Whether you or someone else is the target, you can take action. You won't find one solution that always works, but you can come up with several strategies.

People often mistreat others because it makes them feel powerful. If we do nothing, the bullying kids think that what they're doing is okay. That makes life worse for everyone. Speak up when you see bullying, and tell adults about it. If we all stand up for justice, we can build a more peaceful world.

Fill in missing letters to find ways to create a bully-free environment.

1 Set a good E_A_P_E. Show others that it's cool to be kind to everyone.

2 Walk tall and sit up straight and confidently. Kids are less likely to pick on you if you look S _ R of yourself.

3 Kids in G_O_PS often aren't bullied. Stick together.

STOP!

1 Don't believe the mean comments. You're a N _ B _ E being who deserves respect.

2 CLLY and firmly tell the bullying kid to stop.

3 Keep your cool and don't get emotional. J K _ around to catch the bullying kids off guard.

AV _ I _ places where bullying kids hang out, if possible.

5 If you see kids who are alone and being bullied, NV _ TE them into your circle of friends.

Find out about the anti-bullying policy at your school, or ask the principal to help you start one. Put up anti-bullying PO _ TER _ .

If you're bullied, try these ideas.

4 Give a C _M_ LIM _ NT. If a kid mocks your soccer skills, you could say, "You're pretty good. Show me how you do that!"

5 Answer with B _ R _ N _ responses, such as "Hmmm," or "Really." Be dull.

6 Sometimes IG _O_I_G bullying is enough. Walk away.

Bullying on the N _ ERNE. can be harmful and dangerous. If you see it, tell a trusted adult.

8 If friends are bullied, tell them that it's not their fault, and _ IS _ EN if they want to talk.

9 Encourage people to be themselves, and support D_VE_S_ personalities.

7 If you're hurt, scared, or angry about being bullied, T_L_ with a friend and tell a trusted adult.

8 Manage the stress. Eat right, stay active, enjoy your hobbies, pray, meditate, and get SL _ P.

9 Continue to be F _ I _ ND _ Y. Don't let cruel words or actions affect how you treat others. [Page 32]

MUSIC CAFÉ

“Music, sung or played, is spiritual food for soul and heart.” —Bahá’í Writings

I’M SOOO EXCITED! MY JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP IS GETTING READY FOR OUR FAVORITE SUMMER CAMPING TRIP.

WE’LL GO RIVER RAFTING, SING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE, AND HIKE THE TRAILS. I LOVE TO EXPLORE NATURE WITH MY FRIENDS AS WE TRAVEL . . .

THROUGH THE WOODS

By The Okee Dokee Brothers

Capo on 4th fret

Verse 1 I’m wondering if you’d go wandering with me Through the wilderness and woods to where the winds are blowing free Through the darkness of the night, headin’ toward the morning light I wonder if you’d wander with me

Chorus And I’ll spread the word And you beat the drum We’ll round up the troops And get the gang to come And we’ll leave the streets And these neighborhoods Head over the river Through the woods

VERSE 2 You’re wondering if I’d go wandering with you What kind of trouble We’ll get ourselves into Would it be wrong to tag along With a band of vagabonds You wonder if I’d wander with you

CHORUS

VERSE 3 I’m wondering if you’d come wandering my way If you ever get lost Or if the trail leads you astray The music of the pack Can always bring you back I wonder can we wander away

CHORUS

© 2014 Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander To hear this song, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBqVDCqLWB4 [Page 33]

DON’T BURST MY BUBBLES

Bubbles are fun and fascinating. They can boost our spirits and make us laugh—but they’re also fragile.

Friendships are the same way. They bring us joy and comfort, but if we tease friends too much, don’t appreciate them, or gossip about them, we can burst that bubble of friendship. True friends lift us up with kindness and respect. They listen when we’re down and cheer for us when life is awesome.

There are plenty of ways to strengthen your relationships. Talk to friends about your hopes and dreams, and find out about theirs. If you slip up and hurt someone’s feelings, apologize sincerely. If others are unkind, let them know that’s not okay. When you’re the best friend you can be, your friendships will float high and far.

Draw lines to connect letters in bubbles that touch. Start at the red letter. You’ll return to some letters more than once.

Write the Friendly Qualities Here:

1. __________________________________
2. __________________________________
3. __________________________________
4. __________________________________
5. __________________________________
6. __________________________________
7. __________________________________
8. __________________________________
9. __________________________________

ANSWERS ON PAGE 36 [Page 34]Lua Getsinger (1871-1916) A Bahá’í who served humanity with radiance

Lua Getsinger slipped away from her friends at a picnic in New Jersey, U.S., and headed to the nearby woods. She took off her shoes and stockings, found some poison ivy, and walked right through it—in her bare feet!

The next day, her feet were so swollen, she couldn't walk. Her goal, however unusual, was accomplished. It was June 1912, and the picnic had been hosted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—Bahá’u’lláh’s son and leader of the Bahá’í Faith at the time. Lua had accompanied him on much of his journey in the U.S., but now he had asked her to go to California on her own to help teach the Bahá’í Faith there.

Though she wanted to do as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wished, she couldn't bear to leave the intense joy of his presence. She hoped that her itchy ailment would enable her to stay with him a little longer. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, amused by her antics, gave her an apple and a pomegranate to eat. She recovered that day and soon headed west. When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in California that fall, she had arranged many speaking engagements for him. She said his words left people’s hearts "studded with precious gems."

Finding Her Faith

Lua was born in 1871 in New York. From childhood, she was passionate and had a strong will. She was well-spoken, with a beautiful singing voice and a flair for the dramatic. She would stay after school to ask teachers questions.

When she was about 20, Lua went to Chicago to study theater. It was there that she began taking classes about the Bahá’í Faith. In 1897, she joined the Faith. Soon after, she married Dr. Edward Getsinger, who also became a Bahá’í.

Meeting the Master

In 1898, Lua and Edward were among the first Western pilgrims to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in what is now Israel. When she met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, whom Bahá’ís often called the Master, Lua ran to him, fell to his feet, and cried with joy. That night, she was so "infinitely happy" she couldn't sleep. She wrote to a friend, "The Face of the Master—is gloriously beautiful. His eyes read one’s very soul—still they are full of divine love—and fairly melt one’s heart!"

Lua visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá many times over the years. He told her, "The love of God burning in your heart is manifest upon your face and it gives us joy to look upon you." He called her "Livá," which means "Banner." Later, in a room with a view of Bahjí where Bahá’u’lláh was buried, Lua would sing the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." As her lovely voice rose and fell, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would gaze out the window, moved to tears. [Page 35]

Eloquence and Service

‘Abdu’l-Bahá told Lua she had the gift of eloquence. She always spoke from the heart during the many talks she gave about the Bahá’í Faith. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá once said, "You never find Lua speaking with dry eyes!"

In 1902, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked her to deliver a message to the sháh, or king, of Persia (now Iran) during his visit to Paris, imploring him to stop the increasing persecution of the Bahá’ís of Persia.

At first, Lua met with the Persian prime minister, but she insisted on seeing the sháh in person. Her persistence paid off, and she delivered the message into his hands herself. Though it took some time, the persecutions decreased.

Lua returned to Israel, spending about a year teaching English in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s household. One day, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked her to care for a sick friend whom he was unable to visit. She joyfully agreed, but when she arrived at the man's house it was filthy and smelly, and she was afraid she'd catch a disease. She rushed back to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with her concerns. He told her that if the man's house was dirty, she must clean it. If he was hungry, she must feed him. If he was sick, she must aid him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá looked at her sadly and said he had done these things for this friend many times. Lua learned from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example of compassion.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá (front left) hosted an interfaith celebration called a Unity Feast in New Jersey, U.S., in 1912. Lua Getsinger is at far right in the dark dress.

Life Lessons

Lua visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Egypt in 1913. She then spent about a year traveling in India and sharing the Bahá’í Faith with many, including a prince. She returned to Israel in 1915.

World War I had begun, and Lua traveled to Egypt, where she helped wounded soldiers. However, her health suffered.

Some Bahá’ís in Cairo took care of her when she became very ill. She wrote to a friend, "I am sure until the last day of our lives we will be learning lessons, for this world is a school, from which we graduate only when we leave it."

Lua died on May 2, 1916, at age 44. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, upon hearing the news, remained silent for a long time. Later, he was heard repeating, "What a loss!" He revealed a prayer for Lua, praising her humility and asking God to "Exalt her station, submerge her in the ocean of thy compassion and establish her in the midst of the Paradise of Immortality..." [Page 36]

COSMO'S CORNER

Look for clues throughout the magazine.

WHAT DID THE MOON SAY AT THE END OF DINNER? THAT WAS YUMMY. NOW I'M FULL!

DOWN 1. Earth's attracts the moon. (p. 16) 3. Louie Shelton was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. (p. 26) 4. Lua Getsinger spoke from the . (p. 30) 5. If we all stand up for , we can build a more peaceful world. (p. 31) 7. National and Space Administration (NASA) (p. 16) 8. Sea anemones and are close friends. (p. 3) 11. For a group project, consult about a plan of (p. 8) 13. Meet people who your eyes to new interests. (p. 14) 15. He struggled in school, but became one of the world's greatest scientists. (p. 4)

ACROSS 2. True friends lift us up with kindness and (p. 33) 4. Embarrassing moments are part of the adventure of being . (p. 35) 6. Diverse friends are the blocks for fun, new worlds! (p. 5) 9. Emma, Serena, and Cory all think is a good quality in a friend. (p. 13) 10. Don't let being different hold you down. Celebrate what makes you ! (p. 15) 12. With kindness and clear , your family can be some of your best friends. (p. 10) 14. Listening is a wonderful to give to others. (p. 22) 16. Encourage , and you'll have a good friend who's always with you! (p. 29)

FROM OUR MAILBOX

If I could choose a theme for an issue of Brilliant Star, I would choose a theme based on living in a bully-free environment, because bullying is a problem that kids face every day. And by making an issue... about it, I think it would help to spread the word about bullying to everyone, to try and make it stop.

-Maryam Chingwe, age 12, New Jersey, U.S.

ANSWERS

KEY: T-Top, C=Center, B-Bottom, L=Left, R=Right

Page 5: 1) concert, 2) open, 3) attention, 4) Accept, 5) curious, 6) questions, 7) silence, 8) calm, 9) honesty, 10) view, 11) sorry, 12) clear

Page 8: Duct tape at BR, hammer at C, paddle at CL, sail at CR, rope at CL, hat at TL, flashlight at BR; Page 9: Cardboard at TR, cooler at TL, flag at C, life jacket at TL, float at BL

Page 10: Cooperate, empathy, fairness, helpful, listening, patience, respect, supportive, teamwork

Page 11: Bolivia, Alpine Ibexes

Page 16: Jupiter, B

Page 28: Sting: 1) feel, 2) tell, 3) gossip, 4) pushing, 5) out, 6) culture. Fun: 1) voice, 2) like, 3) joke, 4) talking, 5) positive, 6) stop

Page 31: Part 1: 1) example, 2) sure, 3) groups, 4) avoid, 5) invite, 6) posters, 7) Internet, 8) listen, 9) diverse. Part 2: 1) noble, 2) Calmly, 3) joke, 4) compliment, 5) boring. 6) ignoring, 7) talk, 8) sleep, 9) friendly

Page 33: 1) cheerful, 2) caring, 3) encouraging, 4) thoughtful, 5) sharing, 6) helpful, 7) kind, 8) forgiving, 9) patient [Page 37]

Magical Journeys

With your wizard's wand and books in hand, you dash stairs shift, and you and your friend are on a new level of the castle. As if by magic, making a new friend or being with one makes just about anything more fun. You can let your imagination roam as you invent games, laugh together, and create adventures.

aMAZEing ADVENTURE

Supportive friends are a major ingredient for concocting a happy life. Friendships grow stronger when you learn about each other's strengths and interests or weaknesses and worries. When you talk about things that are important to you, you can help each other through tough times and overcome challenges more easily. There's nothing more magical than true friends.

Travel the levels of this magical school to help a new friend get to his Cosmic Mysteries class. Each enchanted door or stairway teleports you to another of the same type and color. For example, a red door takes you to a red door on another level; a purple stairway takes you to a purple stairway. [Page 38]"Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Brilliant Star

YOUTH CAMP CAMP AMIGO CAN Youth MODE WORL

www.brilliantstarmagazine.org

Gift of Friendship VOL. 46/NO. 4/5 Sept.-Dec. 2014

AN AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES