Sara and the Sleepy Owl

Sara was very tired. Her eyes felt heavy, but her body could not rest.

She tossed to the left. She turned to the right.

A soft tap came at her bedroom window. A round, fluffy owl sat on a tree branch outside.

The owl blinked his big yellow eyes. "Hoo, hoo," he said softly. "Are you ready for sleep?"

Sara sat up in her warm bed. "My mind is awake, and my legs want to wiggle," she said.

The owl ruffled his soft brown feathers. "Let us do bedtime stretches together," he said.

First, the owl lifted his wings high into the cool night air. Sara stretched her arms up toward the ceiling.

Next, the owl folded his wings over his chest. Sara crossed her arms and gave herself a cozy hug.

"Now roll your shoulders back," the owl whispered. Sara rolled her shoulders, and her neck felt loose and warm.

"Take a slow breath," said the wise little owl. "Breathe in the quiet night, and breathe out your busy day."

Sara took a deep breath in through her nose. She slowly blew the air out through her mouth.

"Now think calm thoughts," the owl said with a soft yawn. "Think of fluffy white clouds floating in a quiet sky."

Sara closed her eyes. She thought of soft clouds and gentle starry nights.

Her arms felt heavy and still. Her legs stopped wiggling.

"Thank you, sweet owl," Sara whispered. The owl gave one last quiet hoot and tucked his head into his feathers.

Sara pulled her soft blanket up to her chin. She smiled and drifted off into a sweet dream.