Pip was a tiny puppy with floppy ears and a wobbly tail. Tonight was a big night – his very first night sleeping away from his mama! He snuggled into a soft, blue blanket in a cozy corner of Farmer Giles’s kitchen, but he couldn’t stop trembling. Everything smelled different, and the kitchen seemed enormous without his mama nearby.
“Oh dear,” Pip whimpered, burying his nose in the blanket. “I miss Mama’s warm fur and her gentle licks.” He wished he could just disappear under the blanket and wait for morning. A tiny voice chirped, “What’s wrong, little one?”
Pip peeked out and saw a little firefly, twinkling softly. “I’m Pip,” he said, “and I’m scared. This is my first night without my mama.” The firefly blinked its light reassuringly. “It’s okay to be scared, Pip. Even brave puppies feel a little wobbly sometimes. My name is Lumi, and I’ll keep you company.”
Lumi floated around the kitchen, her light painting little dancing shapes on the walls. “Look,” she said, “the kitchen isn’t so scary when you see it with a little light. See the shiny pots and pans? They’re just waiting for Farmer Giles to make yummy breakfast tomorrow!” Pip giggled a little. Lumi was right; the kitchen *did* look less frightening with her light.
“But what if I get lonely?” Pip asked, his tail drooping. Lumi landed gently on Pip’s nose. “You’re not alone, Pip. I’m here, and so are all the quiet sounds of the night. Listen closely.” Pip closed his eyes and listened. He heard the gentle ticking of the grandfather clock, the soft rustling of leaves outside the window, and the peaceful snores of the farm cat, Clementine.
“Those are sleepy sounds,” Lumi explained. “They mean everything is safe and calm. And you know what else? You are a very brave puppy for trying something new.” Pip puffed out his chest a little. He *was* being brave, wasn’t he?
Lumi continued to twinkle and tell Pip stories about her adventures in the meadow. She told him about the friendly glow-worms and the sleepy owls. Pip listened, feeling his worries drift away with each twinkling light and gentle story. He realized that even though his mama wasn’t right beside him, he was surrounded by kindness and peace.
Soon, Pip’s eyelids grew heavy. He yawned a big, puppy yawn. “I… I think I’m sleepy,” he mumbled. Lumi blinked her light softly. “That’s wonderful, Pip. Close your eyes and dream sweet dreams.”
Pip snuggled deeper into his blanket, feeling warm and safe. He knew he could be brave, even when he was a little scared. He had a new friend in Lumi, and he knew his mama would be waiting for him in the morning. As he drifted off to sleep, he whispered, “Thank you, Lumi.” Lumi twinkled one last time and whispered back, “Sweet dreams, little puppy.”