Ruby and the Sleepy Cloud

Suddenly, Ruby's bed began to feel softer... and softer... and softer still. She opened her eyes. She wasn't in her bed anymore—she was floating on a cloud! The cloud was the fluffiest thing Ruby had ever felt. "Hello, little one," said a gentle voice, soft as a whisper. The cloud had a face! Two sleepy eyes and a peaceful smile. "I'm Cumulus," the cloud said. "Shall we sail to Dreamland together?"

The cloud boat drifted slowly... slowly... through the evening sky. Ruby hugged Cozy close and looked around. Stars were winking awake, one by one. The moon was rising, round and golden, smiling down at them. "Where are we going?" Ruby asked in a sleepy whisper. "To Dreamland," Cumulus said. "But first, we'll visit some very peaceful places. Just breathe, little one. Breathe and float." Ruby took a deep breath in... And let it out slowly... The cloud boat drifted on.

Below them appeared a meadow. But these weren't ordinary flowers. They were made of the softest petals Ruby had ever seen—lavender and rose and sleepy blue. They swayed gently in a quiet breeze. "Breathe in," Cumulus said softly. Ruby breathed in. The flowers smelled like warm milk and honey and Mama's goodnight kisses. "Breathe out." Ruby breathed out. All her wiggles floated away, drifting down to land gently on the soft flower petals. She felt calm. She felt peaceful. She felt... sleepy.

Next came a quiet forest. In the trees, owls were tucking their heads under their wings. "Hoo... hoo... goodnight," they murmured, their eyes closing slowly. On a branch, a family of birds snuggled together in their nest. By a stream, a fox curled into a fluffy ball, tail wrapped around its nose. "All the animals are going to sleep," Ruby whispered, her voice getting quieter. "Yes," said Cumulus. "Everything needs rest. Even the trees are yawning." And they were! The branches stretched and swayed, like arms reaching for a big yawn. Ruby yawned too.

The cloud floated over a silver sea. Gentle waves whispered: "Shhhh... shhhh... shhhh..." Ruby listened. The sound was like a lullaby. "Shhhh... shhhh... shhhh..." A sleepy whale rose to the surface, let out a long, slow breath, and sank back down to dream. Little fish swam in slow circles, their eyes half-closed. "Even the ocean is going to sleep," Cumulus whispered. "Shhhh... shhhh... shhhh..." Ruby's eyes felt heavy. So heavy.

The cloud floated higher, up where the stars lived. The stars began to sing—the softest, sweetest song: "Close your eyes, little one, The day is done, the day is done. Dreams are waiting, soft and bright, Sleep now, sleep through the night." Ruby listened to the star song. Her breathing got slower. Slower. Slower still. "That's it," Cumulus whispered. "Just listen. Just breathe. Just rest."

Ahead, Ruby saw something wonderful. A gate made of moonbeams, glowing soft and silver. "That's the gate to Dreamland," Cumulus said quietly. "Only the most peaceful children can go through." "Am I peaceful enough?" Ruby murmured. "Feel your body," Cumulus said. "Heavy and warm. Feel your breath. Slow and soft. Feel your heart. Calm and happy." Ruby felt all those things. Heavy. Warm. Slow. Soft. Calm. Happy. "You're ready," Cumulus said. The gate opened, spilling gentle golden light.

Through the gate, everything was soft. Soft hills of pillowy clouds. Soft stars that hummed quietly. Soft grass that felt like Cozy beneath her feet. "This is Dreamland," Cumulus said, his voice now barely a whisper. "It's beautiful," Ruby breathed. "You can dream of anything here. Of flying with butterflies. Of playing with gentle dragons. Of dancing on rainbows. Whatever makes you happiest." Ruby smiled a sleepy smile. "I want to dream about Mama," she said. "And Cozy. And you, Cumulus." "Then that's exactly what you'll dream."

Ruby lay down on the softest cloud in all of Dreamland. Cozy wrapped around her like a hug. "Will you stay with me?" she whispered. "I'll float right beside you," Cumulus said. "All through the night. You're safe here, Ruby. You're safe and warm and loved." Ruby's eyes closed. Her breathing slowed. Slow and soft. Soft and slow. Safe and warm and loved. And Ruby drifted into the sweetest, gentlest, most beautiful dreams. Dreams of clouds and stars and flowers. Dreams of love that never ends. Goodnight, Ruby. Sweet dreams.