The Moon Who Watched Over Everyone
High above the sleeping world, in a sky scattered with stars, the round silver Moon began her nightly work.
Every night, when the sun slipped away and the dark came softly down, the Moon rose up to do the thing she loved best: to watch over every little one as they fell asleep.
In a nest at the top of a tall tree, a baby bird peeped, just once, into the dark. "Hush," glowed the Moon, pouring down soft silver light. "I'm here. Sleep now." And the little bird tucked its head away and slept.
In a burrow under the hill, a young rabbit stirred. "I'm watching over you," the Moon shone gently through the grass. "You can rest." And the rabbit's nose stopped twitching, and it slept.
Across the whole quiet land the Moon looked down — over the woods and the fields, over the rooftops and the rivers, over every cradle and every cosy bed — and to each sleeping little one she gave the same soft, silver promise: You are safe. I am here. I will keep watch all night long.
And somewhere, a small child lay awake, wondering who was awake in the dark.
The Moon leaned close and filled the window with her gentle glow. "I am," she whispered, warm and bright. "I never close my eyes at night. I stay awake so all of you can rest. There's nothing to do now but sleep — I'll be right here until morning."
The child gave a slow, sleepy smile, and felt the whole night grow soft and safe.
And beneath the watchful, loving Moon, all the little ones of the world — the birds and the rabbits and the children — breathed slow, breathed deep, and drifted gently off to sleep, safe beneath her silver light.