Luna Counts the Sleepy Wings

The sun was going down. The sky turned soft and pink… then blue… then almost dark. High in the old tree sat Luna. Luna was an owl. A wise, round, feathery owl. Her branch was warm. Her eyes were big and kind. Below her, the forest was getting ready for bed. It was time to count the sleepy wings.

Luna looked up. Something small was flying home. Little wings — flap, flap, flap. It was a sparrow. A tiny brown sparrow with sleepy eyes. Luna counted… one. One little sparrow. The sparrow landed in a nest of leaves. He tucked his head under his wing. Goodnight, little sparrow. Goodnight.

The sky grew darker. The first star blinked on. Then came two soft moths, dancing on the air. Their wings were pale, like little pieces of moon. Up… and down… and round they went. Luna counted slowly… one… two. Two soft moths. They floated down to a quiet leaf and folded their wings. Goodnight, soft moths. Sleep well.

Now the forest was quiet. Luna heard a small, sleepy hum. Hmmmm… Three tired bees came flying home. One, two, three — slow and round and fuzzy. Their little legs were dusty with flowers. Luna counted… one… two… three. Three tired bees. Into their warm hive they went, all in a row. Goodnight, tired bees.

Luna smiled her small owl smile. One sparrow. Two moths. Three bees. All of them home. All of them warm. The wind came through the leaves — shhhh — like a soft hand smoothing a blanket. The forest breathed in… and out. But there were still more wings to count. Luna waited on her branch.