Lena had always been fascinated by stars. Every night, she would lie on her back in the backyard, staring up at the dark velvet sky, searching for constellations and dreaming of adventures beyond her small town. Her fascination wasn’t just about the twinkling lights; it was about the sense of mystery and endless possibilities they represented. One summer evening, as Lena was about to settle into her usual star-gazing routine, she noticed something unusual. A bright, shimmering object hovered low in the sky, moving slowly and silently. It was unlike any airplane or shooting star she’d ever seen. Her heart pounded with excitement and curiosity. She grabbed her flashlight and ran to tell her younger brother, Max, who was playing nearby. “Look at that!” Lena exclaimed, pointing upward. Max looked up and his eyes widened. “Wow! What is it?” he asked, voice trembling with wonder. Lena didn’t have an answer. She had read stories about strange lights and mysterious objects in the sky, but she’d never seen anything so vivid and close. The object seemed to pulse with a gentle glow, shifting colors from white to blue to a faint purple. It hovered for a moment, then slowly descended toward the forest at the edge of town. Without thinking, Lena and Max decided to follow it. They tiptoed past their parents’ house and into the woods, the moon casting a silver glow on the path. The trees whispered in the wind, and every crackle of leaves made their hearts race faster. As they moved deeper into the forest, they could see the shimmering object just ahead, resting among the trees. Suddenly, a soft hum filled the air. The object emitted a gentle light, illuminating the forest floor around it. Lena took a step closer, her curiosity overpowering her fear. The object was smooth and metallic, about the size of a small car, with no visible doors or windows. It looked almost like a sculpture, but alive with a strange energy. Then, something incredible happened. The surface of the object shimmered and split open, revealing a small, glowing figure. It was about the size of a child, with skin that sparkled like the night sky and eyes that gleamed like stars. The figure waved gently, as if inviting them closer. Lena hesitated, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. Max reached out a hand toward the figure, but Lena gently pulled him back. “Who are you?” she whispered, voice trembling. The figure’s eyes twinkled. It didn’t speak, but somehow Lena understood it was not dangerous. It was curious and kind, just like her. Slowly, the figure reached out and touched Lena’s hand, a warm, tingling sensation spreading through her. In that moment, Lena felt a connection beyond words—a feeling of wonder and unity. She realized that sometimes, the greatest adventures happen when you follow your curiosity, even into the unknown. The glowing being gently floated upward, returning to its ship, which then shimmered and disappeared into the night sky. Lena and Max stood silently, gazing at the stars once more. Though their encounter was over, Lena knew her life had changed forever. She had glimpsed a piece of the universe’s mystery and found the courage to believe in the magic of the unknown. From that night on, she looked up at the sky with even more wonder, knowing that sometimes, the universe had surprises waiting just beyond the horizon.

Answer the following questions based on the passage above.