1High on Marshmallow Mountain lived a small dragon named Ember. Every night, all the other dragons curled up and closed their eyes. But Ember's tummy still had a tiny warm spark that would not go out.
2"I can't sleep," Ember whispered. "My spark is too bright." It glowed like a little orange star behind his ribs, flickering and dancing while everyone else dreamed.
3So Ember tiptoed past his sleeping family and out into the cool night air. Above him the stars blinked slowly, as if they were feeling sleepy too.
4First he met a round-eyed owl. "How do you get sleepy?" asked Ember. "I take three slow breaths," hooted the owl. So Ember breathed in... and out... in... and out... in... and out.
5His spark grew a little softer, like a lamp turned low. But it had not gone out. So Ember walked on down the quiet path.
6Next he met a snail carrying a tiny lantern. "How do you get sleepy?" asked Ember. "I picture somewhere cozy," said the snail. So Ember pictured his warm nest, and his mother's soft wing wrapped around him.
7His spark grew softer still, like a candle behind a curtain. But it had not gone out. So Ember walked on, all the way to the top of the hill.
8There he found the Moon, round and kind. "How do you get sleepy, little dragon?" the Moon asked gently. "I don't know," said Ember. "My spark just won't go out."
9The Moon smiled a silver smile. "Your spark is not meant to go out, Ember. It only needs to grow small. A spark that stays warm all night long is exactly how a dragon dreams."
10So Ember curled up under the stars. He took three slow breaths and pictured his cozy nest. His spark grew smaller and warmer, until it was the softest glow — and Ember drifted, at last, into the happiest dragon dream. Goodnight, Ember. Goodnight.
