Author's Manuscript

The Sleepy Little Star

Once upon a time, high above the clouds, there was a tiny little star named Luma. Luma was the smallest star in the sky, and every night, she loved to twinkle softly, making the night sky look magical.

But tonight was different. Tonight, Luma felt very, very sleepy.

She blinked once, blinked twice, and gave a tiny yawn that made her whole body glow even softer.

The Moon noticed and floated closer.

"Dear Luma," whispered the Moon kindly, "it's time to rest now. Close your eyes and drift into dreams."

"But I want to keep twinkling," Luma said, yawning again.

The wise old Moon smiled.

"Even the brightest stars need to sleep, little one. When you sleep, your dreams sprinkle magic across the sky."

Luma thought about that and smiled a sleepy smile. She decided she would dream beautiful dreams tonight — dreams of floating on cotton-candy clouds, swimming in seas of shimmering light, and dancing with butterflies made of stardust.

Slowly, slowly, Luma closed her little eyes.

She took a deep breath in... and a soft breath out.

In... and out...

As she breathed quietly, she began to drift into the sweetest, softest sleep.

The other stars gently wrapped her in a blanket of silver light, and the night became even more peaceful.

Down on Earth, children tucked warmly in their beds looked up and saw the sky glowing gently, knowing that somewhere up there, a tiny star was dreaming the most beautiful dreams — just like them.

And with a happy sigh, they, too, closed their eyes...

and floated softly into sleep.

Good night, little dreamer. Sleep tight.