Starchild: Why Malaysian kids want to wish upon a star

Wong Cheng Yang, 10

Every child has wishes, and that's what makes being a kid so special! Wishes are dreams and hopes that you hold in your heart. They can be big or small and can be about anything you can imagine.

Some kids wish for toys, like a new bike or a stuffed animal. Others might wish for adventures, like visiting a theme park or going on vacation. Wishes can also be about learning new things, like wanting to be a great artist or learning to play an instrument. Maybe you dream of having a superpower, like being able to fly high in the sky like Marvel superheroes Iron Man or Thor. Or maybe you wish to talk to animals like the fictional character Dr Dolittle!

Chuah Seng Koon, 8Wishes aren't just about things or adventures; they can also be about feelings and friendships. You might wish for a best friend to play with or to make everyone happy. Sometimes, wishes are about helping others, like hoping for a world where everyone is kind and no one is hungry.

The amazing thing about wishes is that they inspire us to dream big and imagine a world full of possibilities. They give us hope and make us excited about the future. When we share our wishes with family and friends, they can support us and help make our dreams come true.

So, keep dreaming and making wishes! They are a big part of growing up and discovering who you are and what makes you happy. No matter what, always believe in the magic of your dreams!

Here are the letters from Starchild readers on the topic, Three Wishes.

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 9

"If I had three wishes, I would wish for an overseas trip with my family. I also hope for my grades to improve and to do better in my studies. Last but not least, my third wish is for my grandpa to recover well from his recent health troubles and be better physically," says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, nine.

Ch’ng Yan Bei, 9"My three wishes are to become the sun, a traditional Japanese house, and a ball. I want to be the sun so I can make all plants strong and healthy. My second wish is to be a traditional Japanese house where people can come in to rest or enjoy green tea or sake. My last wish is to be a ball because I like people to play with me and be happy," says Ch'ng Yan Bei, nine.

"If I had three wishes, I would wish for a money printer so my parents wouldn’t have to work anymore. For my second wish, I want a machine that can double everything, including all our food resources. Lastly, I wish for chore bots that can do housework. They would be rechargeable, never break, and help with household chores. I hope this would reduce my parents’ workload," says Wong Cheng Yang, 10.

Younger sibling Wong Jie Ern, eight, writes: "If I had three wishes, my first wish would be to stay healthy. My second wish is to get a big mansion, and my third wish is to travel around the world. I hope these wishes come true one day! So, I will keep going to school and gain more knowledge."

Wong Jie Ern, 8

Chuah Seng Koon, eight, wants to live forever. "My first wish is to be immortal so I can see what life will be like in 10,000 years. My second wish is to be able to become the fictional monster Godzilla whenever I want. My third wish is to have a magic book and pencil that can grant any wish that I write or draw."

ITEM: Malaysia will celebrate its 67th National Day on Aug 31. This year's theme, "Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka", reflects the country’s spirit of freedom and progress. Share some fun facts about our beloved country and tell us what you love most about Malaysia. Is it our rich heritage, the warm hospitality of its people, or the delicious food? Don’t forget to send us a drawing that represents Malaysia and Merdeka!

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by August 23. Please put "STARCHILD: Merdeka" in the subject line of your email. Scanned drawings should be in JPEG format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must include your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.