Luna was a tiny firefly with a very important job. Every night, she blinked her light to guide sleepy animals home. But tonight, Luna noticed something was different. All the animals seemed extra tired, even the usually bouncy bunnies! Barnaby Bear yawned a HUGE yawn, and Penelope Possum kept rubbing her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Luna blinked, hovering near Barnaby. “I just… can’t seem to settle down,” Barnaby mumbled. “My thoughts are buzzing like bees!” Penelope added, “I’m too wiggly to sleep! I keep thinking about all the fun things I did today.”
Luna felt a little worried. She wanted to help! She flew to Old Man Willow, the wisest tree in the meadow. “Old Man Willow,” she buzzed, “the animals can’t sleep! What can I do?” Old Man Willow rustled his leaves gently. “Sometimes, little firefly, a gentle sound is all that’s needed. A lullaby, perhaps?”
Luna had never sung a lullaby before! She practiced a little tune, but it sounded squeaky and fast. It didn’t sound sleepy at all. She tried again, slowing down her blink and making her light glow softly. This time, the tune was smoother, like a gentle breeze.
Luna flew back to the meadow and began to sing her lullaby. “Close your eyes, little ones, the stars are bright. Dream sweet dreams all through the night. Breathe in slowly, breathe out free, peaceful sleep for you and me.”
As Luna sang, Barnaby Bear’s yawns became softer, and his shoulders relaxed. Penelope Possum’s wiggles slowed down, and she snuggled into a cozy patch of moss. One by one, all the animals closed their eyes, listening to Luna’s gentle song.
Luna realized that helping others feel calm made *her* feel calm too. She continued to sing, her light blinking softly, until the whole meadow was quiet and peaceful. She learned that sometimes, the best way to find sleep is to share a little kindness and a gentle song.
When Luna finished, she felt a little sleepy herself. She blinked one last time, then nestled onto a soft dandelion puff and drifted off to dreamland, knowing she had helped everyone have a peaceful night’s sleep. And you, little one, can close your eyes now too. Breathe in slowly, breathe out free… sweet dreams.