Droply 
High above the rooftops, where the evening sky turns from blue to pink to purple, there lived a little cloud named Puff.
Puff was not a stormy cloud. Puff never rumbled or grumbled. Puff was soft and round and white, like a pillow made of marshmallows.
Every evening, just as the sun began to set, Puff had one very important job. Puff helped the animals find their way to bed.
First, Puff floated over the meadow. Down below, a little lamb was still hopping about in the grass. "Baa," said the lamb. "I'm not sleepy yet."
Puff drifted down, low and gentle, and made a soft, cool shadow over the lamb. The air grew quiet and calm. The lamb yawned a big lamb yawn, curled up next to its mother, and closed its eyes.
"Good night, little lamb," whispered Puff.
Next, Puff floated over the pond. A family of ducks was still paddling in circles. Quack, quack, splash!
Puff sprinkled a few tiny, tickly raindrops, pit-pat, pit-pat, onto the water. The ducks giggled, tucked their heads under their wings, and floated toward the reeds, where their cozy nest was waiting.
"Good night, little ducks," whispered Puff.
Then Puff floated over the big oak tree. High in the branches, a baby squirrel was still wide awake, counting acorns. One, two, three, four…
Puff came to rest right on top of the tree, like a big, fluffy blanket. It was so soft and so quiet that the baby squirrel stopped counting at seven, snuggled into its leafy nest, and fell fast asleep.
"Good night, little squirrel," whispered Puff.
By now, the sky was dark and full of stars. The moon came out and smiled. "You've done a wonderful job tonight, Puff," said the moon. "Everyone is sleeping. Now it's your turn."
Puff looked around. Where does a cloud go to sleep?
The moon pointed to a quiet corner of the sky, right between two twinkling stars. Puff floated over, stretched out long and soft, and settled in, like a blanket on a bed.
The stars twinkled a lullaby. The wind hummed softly. And Puff, the sleepy cloud, grew quieter… and softer… and stiller…
Until Puff was fast asleep too.
Tonight, if you look out of your window, you might see a little white cloud resting in the sky. That's Puff, keeping watch over all the sleepy animals… and over you.
Sleep tight.
