Leo chased a glowing firefly into the deepening jungle shadows. The air smelled of damp moss and cooling earth.
The little lion cub stopped when the path vanished behind thick vines. He sniffed the cool night air, ears swiveling forward.
He tried to climb a low branch to see better. His claws slipped on the rough bark with a scratchy sound.
He slid down, landing in a soft pile of dry leaves. Dust motes danced in the dim light as he shook himself off.
A rustle came from the bushes nearby. Leo froze, holding his breath as a tall, spiky shadow moved against the moonlight.
The shadow revealed itself as a friendly owl wearing tiny glasses. It hooted softly and pointed its wing toward a safe rock.
Leo’s paws unclenched from the dirt. He followed the owl’s direction to a flat, sun-warmed stone near the clearing edge.
He curled up on the warm rock, watching the stars appear one by one. The night was quiet except for crickets.
Stars blinked awake in the velvet sky above. Leo closed his eyes, feeling the gentle hum of the sleeping jungle.
Safe and warm, the little lion cub drifted into dreams. The jungle whispered secrets to the sleeping world below.
