Shooting stars are not stars at all. They re just rocks that enter the atmosphere and catch fire under friction. What we wish on when we see one is only a trail of debris.
The statement reflects the idea that shooting stars, often invoked for making wishes, are not actual stars but rather meteoroids that ignite upon entering the Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenon creates a brief yet captivating visual display, which is mistakenly romanticized as celestial wishes granting instruments.
This metaphor serves to highlight the disillusionment that can accompany our desires and expectations. Just as a shooting star merely leaves behind a trail of debris, the things we wish for might not hold the substance or magic we imagine; they can be fleeting and illusory, reminding us of the transient nature of life and hope.