Kevin the koala was having trouble sleeping. The moon was bright, the stars twinkled, but his eyelids just wouldn't stay closed. He tossed and turned on his eucalyptus leaf bed, sighing deeply.
His best friend, Pip the possum, noticed Kevin's restlessness. Pip was already snuggled in his tree hollow, fast asleep. He peeked out and saw Kevin pacing.
"What's wrong, Kevin?" Pip yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"I can't sleep!" Kevin whispered. "My mind is racing. I've got so much to think about!"
Pip, always the wise one, suggested, "Why don't we try counting eucalyptus leaves? Or maybe we can tell each other stories?"
Kevin wasn't interested in counting leaves. He loved stories, but he couldn't think of any. "I'm too restless for stories!" he complained.
Pip had an idea. "Let's go on a nighttime adventure!" he squeaked. "We can explore the forest while everyone else is asleep!"
Kevin, intrigued, agreed. They carefully climbed down from their tree and tiptoed through the silent forest. They found a field of glowing fireflies, and a family of sleepy owls tucked away in their nest.
As they walked, they helped a little lost bandicoot find its way back to its burrow. They gathered sweet berries for a family of sleeping mice. They even helped a tired beetle find a comfortable leaf to rest on.
Kevin found himself feeling calmer and sleepier as he helped others. The acts of kindness seemed to melt away his restlessness.
Finally, as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the trees, Kevin and Pip made their way back to their homes.
Kevin snuggled into his eucalyptus leaf bed, feeling wonderfully tired. Pip settled into his tree hollow.
"Thanks, Pip," Kevin mumbled sleepily. "I never thought helping others could be so sleepy-making!"
Pip chuckled softly. "Helping others is always a good thing, Kevin. And a good night's sleep is important too!"
Kevin drifted off to sleep, dreaming of fireflies and helping little lost animals. He knew that even though he had worries, there was always something he could do to help, and sleep would always come eventually. And that made him feel wonderfully content.