Under the huge, sleepy orange sky of the African savanna lived a little giraffe named Gerry. Gerry had a very long neck and very long legs, perfect for reaching the highest, tastiest leaves. But tonight, Gerry had a problem. Everyone else was getting ready for sleep – the zebras were lying down, the lions were quietly yawning, and the birds were tucked in their nests. But Gerry felt wide awake!
Gerry stood tall, his head almost touching the first twinkling stars. He tried counting the clouds, but they floated away too fast. He tried closing his eyes really, really tight, but that just made colourful wiggles appear behind his eyelids. He bounced a little on his long legs, hoping to bounce the wakefulness away, but that didn't work either. He just felt like a bouncy, wide-awake giraffe.
Feeling a little bit frustrated, Gerry decided to ask for help. He tiptoed softly (as softly as a giraffe can tip-toe!) over to where wise old Ella the Elephant was slowly munching her last bit of dinner. "Ella," whispered Gerry, his voice soft so he wouldn't wake anyone, "How do you get sleepy? I feel too bouncy!"
Ella paused her munching and looked at Gerry with her kind, gentle eyes. Her trunk swayed softly. "Ah, little Gerry," she rumbled in a low, calming voice. "Sleep is not something you can catch or bounce into. Sometimes, you have to find the quiet inside yourself, and let the quiet world help you."
She pointed her trunk towards the big, open sky where more and more stars were appearing. "Find a quiet spot," she advised. "Look up at the stars and feel how still they are. Listen to the gentle whisper of the wind through the grass and leaves. Feel the warm earth beneath your hooves, holding you steady. Don't try to sleep, just be peaceful."
Gerry thanked wise Ella and found a quiet place near a tall acacia tree. He looked up, and the stars really did look peaceful, like tiny sleepy eyes winking. He listened, and the wind made a soft, gentle shushing sound in the leaves above his head. He felt the ground under his feet, solid and safe.
He didn't bounce. He didn't count. He just stood and was quiet. He watched the moon start its slow journey across the sky. He listened to the soft sounds of the night animals settling down. He felt his long legs feel less bouncy and more still.
Slowly, slowly, a calm feeling spread through Gerry's long neck and down to his hooves. The peaceful quiet of the savanna wrapped around him like a soft blanket. His eyes started to feel heavy, like they were filled with moonlight.
Gerry gently lowered his head, resting it near a strong branch, just like he had seen the older giraffes do. The stars above seemed to smile down at him. He took a slow, sleepy breath.
He wasn't wide awake anymore. He wasn't bouncy. He was peaceful and ready for dreams. With a happy sigh, Gerry the giraffe closed his eyes and drifted off into a deep, calm sleep under the watchful, starry sky. Goodnight, little Gerry.