Arebelle, Aruché, and the Sleepy Stars

Muriel smiled. "Time for bed, little stars!" she said. Arebelle and Aruché giggled. They were twin sisters. Rugan, their big brother, helped. He was so tall! He held their favorite blankets. Arebelle's blanket was yellow. Aruché's blanket was blue. The room was cozy. Soft light glowed. It looked like fireflies.Rugan sang a song. It was a quiet song. About sleepy bunnies. And fluffy clouds. Arebelle yawned. A big yawn! Aruché rubbed her eyes. They were getting sleepy. Muriel picked up Arebelle. She held her close. Then, she picked up Aruché. Snuggled close, too."Let's find the sleepy stars," Muriel whispered. Rugan pointed up. To the ceiling! There were tiny stars. Glowing softly. Arebelle reached. She wanted to touch. Aruché blinked. The stars twinkled."Each star has a dream," Muriel said. "A happy dream. Just for you." Arebelle listened. Her eyes closed a little. Aruché snuggled closer. Her blue blanket felt warm. Rugan sat quietly. He watched his sisters."What do stars dream about?" Rugan asked.Muriel smiled. "They dream of happy things. Giggles and sunshine. Rainbows and butterflies. They dream of you two."Arebelle made a little sound. Like a tiny bird. Aruché smiled. A sleepy smile. Muriel rocked them gently. Back and forth. Like a cradle. The sleepy stars glowed brighter."Let's count the stars," Rugan said."One... two... three..." Arebelle mumbled."Four... five... six..." Aruché echoed.They counted slowly. Their voices were soft. Like little whispers. Rugan pointed to each star. Muriel kept rocking.Suddenly, Arebelle frowned. "Star gone!" she said.Muriel looked up. One star wasn't glowing. It was hiding. Behind a cloud."Oh no! The star is sad," Rugan said. "What can we do?"Muriel thought for a moment. "Maybe... maybe the star needs a song," she said.Rugan knew a song. About a happy sun. Shinning bright. He started to sing. Softly and sweetly."Sunshine, sunshine, happy and bright..."Arebelle and Aruché joined him. Their voices were tiny. But full of love.Slowly, the star peeked out. A little glow at first. Then, brighter and brighter. It was shining again!"Star happy now!" Aruché cheered quietly.Arebelle clapped her hands. Then yawned again. A very sleepy yawn.Muriel smiled. "The star just needed to know we care," she said. "Just like you two!"She laid Arebelle in her crib gently. Then, Aruché in her crib. Side by side. They held their blankets tight. Yellow and blue.Rugan tucked them in. Nice and snug. He kissed their foreheads. "Goodnight, little stars," he whispered.Muriel turned off the light. Except for the sleepy stars. They glowed softly. Filling the room with happy dreams.Arebelle closed her eyes. She dreamt of yellow butterflies. Flying in the sunshine. Aruché dreamt of blue bunnies. Hopping through fluffy clouds.Rugan held Muriel's hand. They walked out of the room. Quietly and slowly."Thank you for helping," Muriel said."I love my sisters," Rugan said. "And the sleepy stars."Muriel smiled. "Me too," she said. "Me too."They left the door open a little. Just enough to see the sleepy stars. Watching over Arebelle and Aruché. Keeping them safe and sound. All through the night. Dreaming happy dreams. Until the sun came up again. And it was time to play.The end.