The Sleepy Dragon’s Lullaby

A dragon with the most peculiar employment lived in the middle of a peaceful valley, where the rivers gleamed in the mellow glow of evening and the hills were covered in rich green trees. Under the moniker Zephyr, he spent his evenings singing lullabies to children instead of stockpiling wealth or terrorizing the population.

Zephyr lacked the ferociousness of the ancient stories’ dragons. His big, soft eyes shone with compassion, and his scales shimmered in peaceful shades of silver and lavender. While other dragons roared with strength, Zephyr used his unique gift—a mystical lullaby that calmed children’s restless minds and guided them into restful sleep.

Every evening as the sun sank low behind the far-off mountains, Zephyr would soar across the valley with quiet wings like a light breeze. He carried a tune as delicate as the stars starting to sparkle in the nighttime sky. No matter how unhappy the youngster was, no matter how bright the moon was or how dark the night was, they would always drift off to sleep smiling. It was a tune so calming.

One evening Zephyr was getting ready to sing his lullaby when he saw something unusual. Usually, the small community tucked at the edge of the forest seemed calmer than it did. Usually gathering at their windows to hear his pleasant hum, the children vanished from sight.

Curious, Zephyr slid down toward the village, his wings brushing the tops of the great pine trees. Just outside the gates, he sat softly on a hill and watched the horizon fade with the final rays of daylight.

He descended nearer a cottage occupied by a good woman named Elena and her daughter Sofia. Inside Sofia was seated in her bed, her eyes open and fixed skyward.

She mumbled to her teddy bear, “I can’t sleep,” her voice tinged with silent anxiety. “It’s so dark; the shadows look unusual.”

Compassion danced in Zephyr’s heart. Although he had assisted numerous youngsters in the past, he had never come across such a sense of anxiety. This was about feeling safe in the dark, not only about going to sleep.

Softly tapping on the window, Zephyr spoke like a breeze. Little one, would you want to listen to my lullaby?

Though startled, Sofia nodded hesitantly. Warmly smiling and whispering, “Let’s listen to the dragon’s song,” her mother had been seated next to her.

Zephyr started his song after inhaling deeply, the cool and pure night air. His voice appeared to sweep about the room like a blanket, like a gentle tune carried by the breeze. Full of the sounds of their surroundings—rustling leaves, the distant call of an owl, and the gentle hum of the ground itself—this was a calm, soothing song.

“Close your eyes, my darling Sofia. The moon will guard you through the night; dreams of kindness carry you. The stars are watching over you.”

The dark corners of the room softened and the shadows less menacing as the dragon sang. The air itself appeared to weaken. Sofia’s eyes flickered, and shortly she was fast asleep, a quiet smile on her face.

Zephyr did not stop there either. He was aware that the village had many more young people who required his aid. His soft lullaby filled every window with peace and safety as he flew to every house singing to each youngster who couldn’t sleep. The youngsters sank one by one into lovely, quiet dreams.

Zephyr hung high above the hamlet, staring down the brilliant windows when his rounds were over. Once vibrantly energetic, the village was now motionless and quiet. As if they were watching over the children, Zephyr could see the stars glistening a little brighter.

Perched on a cloud, Zephyr breathed contentedly. His work was done tonight. Now the youngsters could relax until the morning sun peeped over the hills. He had sung his lullaby to calm their hearts.

Goodnight, small ones, Zephyr said into the calm darkness. Sleep nicely.

And from that night on, whenever the youngsters of the village felt terrified or unable to sleep, they knew that Zephyr’s lullaby would always be there, enveloping them in the security and warmth of the evening.