Droply 
Have you ever wondered what your teddy bear does when you fall asleep?
Barnaby was a small brown bear with one floppy ear and a patch on his tummy. Every night, he lay tucked beside a little girl named Ellie, keeping her company until her eyes grew heavy.
And every night, when Ellie's breathing became slow and soft, Barnaby did something very special.
He climbed, very quietly, onto the windowsill. He looked up at the moon. And then he stepped onto a moonbeam, as if it were a silver path, and walked right up into Dreamland.
Dreamland was the gentlest place you could imagine. The grass was as soft as a blanket. The trees had leaves that glowed like tiny night-lights. And the air smelled of warm cookies and fresh laundry.
Barnaby had a job to do in Dreamland. He was gathering good dreams for Ellie.
First, he visited the Meadow of Happy Memories. There, he found a shiny dream about the day Ellie learned to ride her bike, with the wind in her hair. He tucked it carefully into his pocket.
Next, he visited the Lake of Laughter, where little silver fish jumped out of the water and giggled. Barnaby scooped up a dream about Ellie's grandma telling a funny story. He tucked that one into his pocket, too.
Then he climbed the Hill of Hugs, where soft pink flowers grew. At the very top, he found the most precious dream of all: a warm, cozy dream about being snuggled and loved. He held it close and put it right next to his heart.
On his way back, Barnaby passed a little owl who looked worried. "I can't find my way home," said the owl.
Barnaby smiled. "Follow the moonbeam with me," he said. "It always leads home."
So together, the bear and the owl walked down the silver path, back to Ellie's window. The owl waved goodbye and flew off to its tree.
Barnaby tiptoed back to Ellie's pillow. He opened his pocket, and one by one, the good dreams floated out like soft, glowing bubbles and drifted gently into Ellie's sleep.
Ellie smiled in her sleep, and snuggled a little closer to her bear.
Barnaby tucked himself in beside her, his floppy ear resting on the pillow. His work was done for the night. He closed his button eyes… and he was very, very happy.
So tonight, hold your teddy close. While you sleep, they might just be on a journey… gathering the very best dreams, just for you.
Sweet dreams.
