| "Star Light, Star Bright" | |
|---|---|
| Author | Alfred Bester |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Published in | The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction |
| Publication type | magazine |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Publication date | July 1953 |
"Star Light, Star Bright" is a science fiction short story by Alfred Bester, first published in 1953.
In the story, a man named Marion Perkin Warbeck has discovered children with supernatural powers, which he calls "genius". He is pursuing one Stuart Buchanan, a ten year old boy who he believes can lead him to these children. The story ends with Warbeck trapped on a "road cleaving infinitely through blackness", having been sent there by Buchanan. The boy wished to be left alone, and formally wished so with the "Star Light, Star Bright" nursery rhyme. The story closes by stating that Buchanan unknowingly has a genius "for wishing".
"Star Light, Star Bright" was first published in the July 1953 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. It was later included in several anthologies and Bester short story collections, including: