Tonight was a special night because Lily had a little box sitting on her bedside table. It wasn't her regular storybook or her soft blanket. This was a little surprise box, just for bedtime.
The box was wrapped in soft, starry paper. Lily held it gently in her hands. It wasn't heavy, and it made a tiny, soft rattle sound when she shook it very carefully. "What could be inside?" she wondered, her eyes wide with sleepy excitement.
Mummy smiled. "It's a little bedtime friend," she said softly. "But first, we open it very slowly and gently. It takes a little patience to find out the surprise."
Lily sat on her bed, tucking her legs criss-cross apple sauce. She carefully peeled back one corner of the starry paper, then another. Rip, rip, gentle rip. It was more fun to take her time than to rush. It was like unwrapping a quiet secret.
Finally, all the paper was off! Inside the box was something soft and fuzzy. Lily reached in and pulled out a tiny, sleepy cloud. The little cloud had two embroidered eyes closed tight, and a gentle smile. It looked like it was already dreaming.
"Oh!" whispered Lily. It wasn't a big toy or a noisy one. It was a quiet, cuddly friend. It was just right. She held the sleepy cloud in her hand; it was so soft, like touching a real fluffy cloud.
Holding her new sleepy cloud friend, Lily snuggled under her covers. The excitement of the surprise box had turned into a warm, peaceful feeling. She appreciated her quiet new friend very much.
Lily put the sleepy cloud on the pillow right next to her own head. It felt good knowing her little cloud friend was there, looking peaceful and ready for sleep. She closed her eyes, took a deep, quiet breath, and started to feel very, very sleepy too. Goodnight, little surprise box. Goodnight, sleepy cloud. Goodnight, Lily.