Leo's eyelids grew heavy over the open storybook. The stars on his ceiling began to hum. The moon on his wall peeled free and floated downward. "I'm ready," he thought, as the book fell shut.
A wise old turtle in a tiny blue nightcap tapped his shell on the windowsill. "Ready?" he croaked. Leo climbed onto the turtle's back just as it hopped out into the starry sky.
Leaves whispered past Leo's ears, rustling and whooshing, as the turtle paddled through the sky like it swam through water.
A white rabbit bounced down a rainbow slide, and a fluffy cat rode a floating kite tail. Leo laughed and reached out.
A golden dog chased floating clouds, a goose cackled overhead, and a speckled chicken strutted along a path of moonbeams. They all tumbled forward together.
Leo waved and scooted closer as the whole parade tumbled through the starry sky, giggling and calling to him.
The parade swooped toward the glowing moon — but then an enormous blue whale floated up between the clouds.
Its skin was dotted with living constellations. It lowered a gentle fin for them all to hold.
Leo gasped as the whale opened its mouth and a warm breeze of lavender and sweet milk washed over him.
The whale carried them all in a slow, rocking loop around the night sky. The stars hummed louder, brighter.
The whale dipped low and set Leo down on his bedroom rug. The animals bowed and scattered into soft shadows.
Leo pulled up his quilt. The humming stars dimmed to a gentle glow. His hand rested on his storybook, already half-smiling as his eyes drifted closed.
