Stella by Starlight

After the morning music session, Mrs. Grayson assigns writing projects due at the day’s conclusion. Stella’s age group will write opinion pieces of one to two pages. Mrs. Grayson recommends that Stella write about what she saw the night before. Stella dreads writing; it’s a craft that interests her, but she feels she doesn’t have much talent for it, despite her attempts: “Writing was more like trying to chew an unripe apple—bitter and hard and not worth the effort” (56). Stella takes plenty of time to arrange her desk, then haltingly begins.

In Stella’s piece of writing, she brings up the Star of Bethlehem as the Wise Men’s guiding light, then describes the terrifying light of the burning cross in comparison. Though the light blazed, no signs of hope or peace went with it, and “The only wise men [she] saw were in [her] mama’s kitchen” (57). Once Stella introduces this big idea, however, she can think of nothing else to write, and ends the day without finishing her assignment. 

Mrs. Grayson gives the unfinished composition an F. The teacher mentions coming by Stella’s home to talk with Mama, but Stella promises to finish the piece of writing that night. Mrs. Grayson encourages Stella to write about herself and topics she knows.

Stella believes that she thinks best outside at night, so she waits until everyone in the household is finally asleep. Then she borrows Papa’s heavy coat and slips outside to the steps with her notebook and her old cigar box. In it are newspaper headlines on world news stories, such as Amelia Earhart’s flying, Charles Lindbergh’s baby, Hitler’s growing army, and the Depression; there is also local interest, such as drunken arrests and agricultural records. Newspaper writing, to Stella, represents an honesty about life that she craves: “The world, she had found, was so much bigger than Bumblebee. And so much more exciting” (64). Finally, inspired by the night and her newspaper clippings, Stella begins to write.

Taking Mrs. Grayson’s advice, Stella writes a brief composition on herself: “My name is Estelle Mills, and I am not nobody” (66). Her sentences in this short essay are a rundown of likes (nighttime, the stars) and attributes (left-handed, black-haired). She mentions that her family members’ skin tones make her think of hot chocolate (Mama), black coffee (Papa), sweet tea (JoJo), and rum (herself). She comments on her own appearance: “I don’t see pretty. I just see me” (67). In a subtle reference to the burning cross, Stella points out that sometimes things that should be pretty are actually “pretty ugly.”

On the Saturday morning after Stella earns a C on the composition, JoJo alerts Stella to Spoon Man’s arrival. Spoon Man is Mr. Terence Oglethorpe, a traveling salesman of trinkets and household goods who also serves to bring news, mail, stories, and messages to the small neighborhoods in the Raleigh region. He claims that Stella’s family is the first he visits this day, and that he has a purple glass bracelet perfect for Stella. Mama tells Stella and JoJo to invite the neighbors to a potluck supper at the Millses’ house, and to bring what they can to share.

When Stella returns, she overhears Papa, Spoon Man, and some other men discussing the Klan’s activity in town. Spoon Man alludes to unrest in places on his travels: “Well, everywhere I go, folks is hungry. Crops failin.’ Cows comin’ up dry. Bosses ain’t payin.’ The way I see it, people be lookin’ for change, for something to believe in” (75). The discussion turns to the upcoming presidential election, and Papa mentions how he would like to vote, which shocks Stella. Dr. Hawkins mentions poll taxes and tests that make it hard for black citizens to vote, but Papa questions the rightness of “bowin’ down” about voting. 

Mama makes killed lettuce and other dishes in a flurry of quick cooking while neighbors arrive with other items. Soon, there’s enough for everyone to enjoy a hearty supper, as Stella’s friend Carolyn points out: “My mama sent pinto beans […] That woulda been all we had for supper tonight, but now we get a feast!” (80). The children play Capture the Flag until it is time for Pastor Patton to say grace. Spoon Man sells his wares to different folks in the crowd. Stella sees Mama buy the purple glass bead bracelet. Spoon Man pauses near Stella to mention the fearful sight she saw the other night, and when she says the picture of it will not leave her, he recommends she write about it. Stella tells Spoon Man that she cannot tell stories like he can.

Soon the neighbors relax around the outdoor fire, sharing jokes and fellowship. Spoon Man offers to tell a story, and many neighbors encourage him to do so. He tells a story about an eagle chick who hatches at a farm along with the chickens. Though a chicken family raises him, he sees a bird soar overhead and wants to fly. His “brother” tells him he cannot fly, but the mother chicken encourages him to be the eagle he was always meant to be. Once he masters flying and screeching, the mother eagle finds him and brings him home. Spoon Man’s story holds everyone’s attention: “At that moment, Stella almost felt like she could fly herself” (95).

After the festivities, once Mama, Papa, and JoJo are sleeping, Stella slips outside with her notebook and cigar box. Tonight, however, Mama joins her, and tells Stella that her secret nights are not so secret. Mama also tells Stella that she knows about Stella’s struggles with writing at school. She reminds Stella how their strawberry plants gave fruit that was too sour to eat the first season, but much better the next; now the berry plants produce excellent strawberries. Mama compares the plants to Stella: “Your time to blossom sweet is comin’, Stella” (99).  

Stella shares her attempts at writing with Mama. Mama reads Stella’s notebook and tells her that her ideas are evidence of a deep thinker. Stella feels stronger confidence and control over words.

Inspired by Spoon Man’s eagle story, Stella writes a short piece on birds and flying. She wonders what it might be like to see clouds from an airplane flying above them. Birds, she recognizes, aren’t smart, and yet they can fly: “How can a clump of feathers with legs and wings take off and just float on a breeze?” (103). She also concludes that the name “wing-tipped” for men’s shoes must come from the look of certain bird’s wings when tipped with white.