Leo the Lion cub yawned a big, sleepy yawn. It was almost bedtime in Sunny Meadow, but something was wrong. Very wrong! Pip the Penguin waddled over, looking worried. “Leo,” he said, flapping his wings, “the fireflies aren’t twinkling! They’ve… disappeared!”
Leo’s ears perked up. A mystery! He loved mysteries, almost as much as naps. “Disappeared?” he asked. “But fireflies *always* twinkle before bedtime. It’s their job!” Pip nodded sadly. “Old Man Turtle says he hasn’t seen a single sparkle all evening.”
“Don’t worry, Pip,” Leo said, trying to sound brave. “We’ll solve this! We’re the Sunny Meadow Mystery Solvers!” He puffed out his chest. Pip giggled. “That’s a very long name, Leo.”
First, they went to visit Rosie Rabbit. Rosie was known for noticing everything. “Rosie,” Leo asked, “have you seen the fireflies tonight?” Rosie twitched her nose. “Hmm… I did see them earlier, near the Whispering Willow. But then… I saw Barnaby Bear carrying a big, dark blanket.”
“A blanket?” Pip exclaimed. “What would Barnaby Bear want with a blanket?” They hurried to Barnaby’s cave. Barnaby was inside, looking glum. He *was* holding a large, dark blanket. But it wasn’t covering anything… it *was* covered in tiny, glowing lights!
“Barnaby!” Leo called out. “What’s going on?” Barnaby sighed. “I… I wanted to surprise everyone with a super-bright bedtime light! I thought if I collected all the fireflies under the blanket, it would be extra sparkly. But they don’t seem very happy.”
Leo and Pip looked at the fireflies. They were indeed looking a little sad, bumping gently against the blanket. “Barnaby,” Pip explained kindly, “fireflies need to be free to twinkle and fly. That’s what makes them special!”
Barnaby’s ears drooped. “Oh,” he said. “I didn’t think of that. I just wanted to do something nice.” Leo smiled. “It’s very kind of you to want to make bedtime brighter, Barnaby. But fireflies are happiest when they’re twinkling in the meadow.”
Together, Leo, Pip, and Barnaby carefully released the fireflies. As soon as they were free, the meadow burst into a beautiful, twinkling glow. Barnaby smiled, and Leo and Pip cheered. The mystery was solved!
“See, Barnaby?” Leo said. “Sometimes, the best way to make something special is to let it be itself.” Barnaby nodded. “You’re right. And thank you for helping me understand.” Pip yawned. “Now *I’m* ready for bedtime!” Leo yawned too. “Me too. Another mystery solved! Goodnight, Pip. Goodnight, Barnaby.” And with the fireflies twinkling above them, they all drifted off to sleep.