The Moon Behind the Cloud

Chapter 1: The Missing Moon

⟨Character 1⟩ types at his laptop. The blue glow fills the room. He yawns and rubs his eyes. He looks out the window. No moon at all. The sky is very dark tonight.

⟨Character 1⟩: One more page, then I sleep. My eyes are so heavy. I have been staring at this blue screen for too long. But the website is almost ready. Just one more click.

⟨Character 1⟩: Where is it? The moon is not in my window tonight. A thick cloud is hiding it. It looks like a soft grey blanket spread over the sky. I cannot see one little glow.

⟨Character 1⟩: I will go outside and look for it. Maybe a little walk in the cool air will help me stay awake. I will put on my jacket and step out into the night. The grass will feel soft.

⟨Character 1⟩ steps onto damp grass and walks slowly around the garden path.

guard: Sir, are you okay? You look a little lost. It is very late for a walk. Can I help you?

⟨Character 1⟩: I am looking for the moon. It is gone from my window. The sky is dark without it. I just want to find it.

guard: It is behind that cloud. The moon is always there, just hiding for a little while. I watch it sometimes from the gate when I feel sleepy. It will come out soon.

⟨Character 1⟩: I will wait until it comes out. I want to see it before I curl up and sleep. The night is cool, but I am patient. I can stand here for a bit.

guard: I do that too, sir. Good night. I hope you find it soon. The garden is safe.

⟨Character 1⟩: Just a little longer. The garden is so quiet. I can hear a sleepy bird in the tree. The grass smells fresh after the rain. I will look for a puddle.

Chapter 2: The Moon Comes Out

⟨Character 1⟩ walked past the rose bushes, yawning again. The dark petals smelled sweet after the rain. He nearly stepped into a little puddle on the path, and the water was still and clear.

⟨Character 1⟩: Oh! I almost put my foot in that puddle. But look, something round and white is shining in the water. That is the moon, right there in the puddle. It looks so close and bright, like a round white cookie sitting in the water.

⟨Character 1⟩: Wait, if the moon is in the puddle, then the real moon must be up in the sky. The cloud has moved away! There you are, moon. You were hiding all along. You are even brighter up there in the sky. Thank you for coming out.

⟨Character 1⟩: I will sit here on the bench and pull this soft blanket around me. Then I will curl my legs up like a sleepy puppy. The moon can watch over me while I rest my eyes. This blanket is soft and warm, like a hug from the night.

⟨Character 1⟩: I am so sleepy now. The moon is so soft and white. I will close my eyes for a little while. Just a little sleep. The garden is so quiet and peaceful.

Later, the guard came back along the garden path with his flashlight. The air was cool and quiet, and the moon had moved out from behind the cloud.

guard: He is all curled up on the bench, with the blanket tucked around him. His breathing is slow and soft. Sleep well, sir. The moon is bright tonight. He looks so peaceful, like a little creature asleep.

guard: I will walk back to the gate now. The moon will stay bright and still over the garden, like a soft night light for you. Good night, ⟨Character 1⟩. I will turn off my flashlight now.