Glowy Night: Ram and the Backyard Visitors
Twelve-year-old Ram loved science fiction more than anything else in the universe. Aliens, robots, spaceships—he could watch them all day. Most days, he did.
He was the smartest kid in his class, a real genius, but also a quiet, loner type who preferred tinkering with wires and gadgets instead of talking to people.
At home, his parents were always busy at work, leaving him with his younger sister, Riza, who was ten and endlessly energetic.
“Kuya Ram! Let’s play!” she would plead.
“Later,” Ram would say, adjusting his glasses. “Science calls!”
His best friend Ned, age eleven, was always by his side. Ned wasn’t exactly careful—he could break a toaster just by staring at it—but he was full of wild ideas. Together, they made the perfect science team.
And where there are geniuses… there is also Russ, the school bully.
“Hey, Brainiac!” Russ would tease. “Building a robot to do your chores?”
Thankfully, Rose, their brave classmate, was always ready to defend Ram.
“Russ, go bother a tree. At least it won’t run away from you.”
Working Late on the Project
One night, Ram and Ned were in Ram’s room working on their science project: a mini energy coil that could power a small fan using nothing but light. The desk was filled with screws, wires, and the smell of solder.
“Hand me the tiny screwdriver,” Ram said.
Ned looked confused. “Uh… there are six tiny screwdrivers.”
Ram sighed. “The tiny tiny one.”
But before Ned could answer, something bright flashed through the window.
Ram froze.
“Did you see that?”
Ned squinted. “If that’s your sister playing with your flashlight aga—”
“No! That’s coming from the sky!”
A glowing blue light streaked downward—and CRASHED softly into the backyard with a PFFFT-WHOOOMF!
The boys stared at each other.
“Bro,” Ned whispered, “did the universe just drop off a package at your house?”
They grabbed their project, a flashlight, and raced outside.
The Tiny Saucer
Sitting on the grass was a shiny silver saucer, no bigger than a dinner plate. Smoke puffed from its edges like a tired dragon.
Then—
PLOP. PLOP.
Two tiny beings popped out. They were no taller than a soda can, with big eyes, little antennae, and matching silver capes.
They began chattering:
“Glibba glibba ZORP!”
“Fweep fweep NUBBA!”
Ram blinked. “Do you understand that?”
Ned shook his head. “Bro… I barely understand English sometimes.”
The tiny aliens looked at Ram and Ned, gasped, and pressed a button on their belts.
BEEEP—KRRRZZZZZHT!
“HELLO, LARGE HUMANS!” the first alien shouted, the translator booming.
“We come in peace! Also in emergency!”
The second alien raised a tiny wrench.
“Our ship is broken and we cannot go home! Also, we cannot reach high shelves for snacks.”
Fixing a Spaceship
Ram knelt beside the saucer. “This energy system… it looks familiar.”
Ned nodded. “It’s almost like… our science project!”
The aliens bounced excitedly.
“Yes! Yes! Smart humans! Please fix before someone steps on us!”
Just then, footsteps hit the pavement.
Russ appeared, chewing gum loudly.
“What are you nerds do—WHOAAA!”
He slipped into a bush, emerging with leaves in his hair.
The aliens pointed.
“Is this creature dangerous?”
Ram and Ned answered together,
“Only to himself.”
Rose emerged moments later.
“Let me guess—Russ discovered a new way to fall again?”
The boys quickly connected their mini energy coil to the saucer’s broken core. Wires lit up. Lights glowed. The ship hummed like a happy bee.
A Gift From the Stars
The tiny aliens saluted sharply.
“You saved us! You are now official Super Giant Fixing Masters of Galactic Brilliance!”
Ned puffed out his chest.
“I will put that on every résumé ever.”
The aliens handed Ram a glowing crystal.
“It records memories. When you miss us, press it.”
The saucer lifted off, spinning gently.
“GOODBYE, HUMANS! THANK YOU FOR NOT STEPPING ON US!”
With a flash of blue light, they vanished into the sky.
Ram looked up, smiling.
“That was the best science project night ever.”
Ned nodded.
“And we just saved the galaxy. Not bad for two kids wearing mismatched socks.”
Riza rushed outside.
“Kuya! What happened?!”
Ram took her hand and said,
“Come on. I’ll tell you everything. Tonight… we can play.”
And under the glowing night sky, they finally did.
