Luna the little firefly wasn't feeling sleepy. She blinked and blinked, but her light felt wiggly and full of energy. “I just can’t seem to settle down,” she buzzed to Mama Firefly. Mama Firefly smiled. “Tonight, Luna, we’re going on a special journey. A journey to the Quiet Cloud.”
“The Quiet Cloud?” Luna asked, tilting her head. “What’s that?” Mama Firefly explained, “It’s a fluffy, gentle cloud where all the sleepy thoughts go. We’ll take a deep breath, and imagine ourselves floating right up to it.” Luna closed her eyes and took a big, slow breath, just like Mama Firefly showed her. She imagined a warm, golden light filling her tummy with each breath.
Slowly, Luna felt herself lifting off the ground. Not quickly, but gently, like a feather on the breeze. She opened her eyes and gasped! Below her, the meadow looked like a patchwork quilt of greens and browns. Above her, a huge, soft cloud glowed with a peaceful, silvery light. It wasn’t a stormy cloud, but a cloud made of quietness.
“Now, Luna,” Mama Firefly’s voice was calm and soothing, “Let’s notice how our bodies feel. Are your toes wiggling? That’s okay. Just notice it. Are your wings relaxed? Good. We don’t need to *change* anything, just *notice*.” Luna wiggled her toes and then let them relax. She felt the gentle breeze on her wings and let them become still.
As they floated closer to the Quiet Cloud, Luna noticed little sparkles drifting around it. “What are those?” she whispered. “Those are sleepy thoughts,” Mama Firefly explained. “Thoughts about all the fun things you did today, and all the wonderful things you’ll do tomorrow. They’re all safe and cozy on the Quiet Cloud.”
Luna thought about building a tower of pebbles with her friend, Flicker. She thought about the sweet nectar she’d tasted from the honeysuckle flower. She let those happy thoughts drift towards the cloud, feeling lighter with each one. She even thought about a little worry she’d had about learning a new flying trick, and let *that* float away too. It was okay to have worries, she realized, but she didn’t need to hold onto them when it was time to rest.
Mama Firefly guided Luna to imagine each breath she took was like sending a little puff of calmness to every part of her body. A puff to her head, a puff to her wings, a puff to her tiny firefly feet. With each puff, Luna felt more and more relaxed. She noticed the quietness around her, the gentle rhythm of her own breathing.
“Now, Luna,” Mama Firefly said softly, “The Quiet Cloud is helping you feel peaceful and calm. You can visit it anytime you need a little rest. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine yourself floating up here.” Luna snuggled close to Mama Firefly on the cloud, feeling safe and loved.
Slowly, gently, Mama Firefly guided Luna back down to the meadow. Luna’s light wasn’t wiggly anymore. It glowed with a soft, peaceful warmth. She yawned a big firefly yawn. “Thank you, Mama,” she whispered. “I feel so sleepy now.” Mama Firefly kissed Luna’s forehead. “Sweet dreams, little one. Remember the Quiet Cloud, and know that you can always find peace within yourself.”
Luna closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of fluffy clouds and peaceful sparkles. And as she slept, her light shone with a gentle, calming glow, a reminder that even the smallest firefly can find a quiet place within.