Where the Moon Went

Chapter 1: Two Lanterns in the Night

The forest path is hushed under a star-dusted sky. ⟨Character 1⟩, a small puppy with a coat two sizes too big, stands at the edge of a clearing holding a glowing lantern. The sleeves cover their paws, so only a soft light peeks over the rim.

⟨Character 1⟩: Juno, Juno, where did the moon go? I looked out my window and the sky was empty. I came outside with my lantern to find it, but it's not in the clearing either.

Juno: I saw your lantern bobbing alone, little friend, and wondered what had pulled you from your warm bed. Let me look. Yes, the moon has slipped away. We will find it together, I promise.

⟨Character 1⟩: But what if it's lost forever? I can't sleep without the moon saying goodnight through my window. I feel all tingly and wide awake.

Juno: Then we shall wake up the night until we find it. Have you asked anyone else, dear ⟨Character 1⟩? A snail on a mossy log sees many quiet things before they happen.

⟨Character 1⟩: I only asked you, Juno. My coat sleeves are too long to tap on a snail's shell without tumbling into the moss.

Juno: What a wise thought, and what lucky sleeves. Come, we will begin with the snail on the cedar log. I will glide just above you, and your lantern will make a golden circle to step in.

Chapter 2: The Moon's Pale Twin

At the mossy log, ⟨Character 1⟩ and Juno meet the snail. Juno leans close, and ⟨Character 1⟩ holds the lantern so the small golden circle falls on the snail's spiral shell. The snail says it hasn't seen the moon but heard a soft rustling sound earlier, somewhere past the ferns.

Juno: Thank you, wise snail. Your shell smells like damp bark and fresh earth. We will follow the rustling sound and see where it leads.

⟨Character 1⟩: Did you hear that, ⟨Character 1⟩? A white moth is fluttering over us. Moth, little moth, have you seen the moon? Please show us with your wing.

⟨Character 1⟩: Look, Juno, the moth is pointing towards the pond. What is that silver glow resting on the water? It is round and bright just like the moon. The moon is in the pond! I want to touch it and bring it back.

⟨Character 1⟩: I can almost reach it. The glow wiggles a little when my paw comes near. If I touch it very softly, maybe the moon will hop into my sleeve.

⟨Character 1⟩: It broke, Juno! The pretty glow went all shivery and scattered into little ripples. Did I hurt the moon? Now it is gone, and I cannot sleep ever, ever again.

Juno: No, no, sweet puppy. You did not hurt the moon. What you saw was only the moon's reflection, its face playing on the water like a silver coin. The real moon is still hiding, but I promise we will find it. Let your nose stop sniffing and look at my eyes.

⟨Character 1⟩: But why would the moon leave without saying goodnight? Does the moon sometimes get lonely too, and go for a walk where nobody can see? I did not even get to say sleep tight.

Juno: I do not know, little friend. Some nights the moon's path is a mystery even to an owl. But look up, ⟨Character 1⟩. Look past the tallest fern, above the treetops. What do you see?

⟨Character 1⟩: It's the moon! The real, round, bright moon! It was just behind the leaves all along. It came back to say goodnight. Oh, Juno, we found it. We found the moon.

Juno: Yes, dearest ⟨Character 1⟩. The moon was never lost, only playing hide and seek. It kept one eye on our lantern the whole time, watching us search. Now it will light the path home.

⟨Character 1⟩: I found it, but now I am too sleepy to walk home. My legs feel like rain on a puddle. My own bed seems far away, but I have been brave all night, and now I just want to rest.

Juno: Then climb up, my brave puppy. My back is warm and wide, with a hollow place between my wings made just for you. Tuck your lantern into the crook of your coat and hold on tight.

⟨Character 1⟩: You are carrying me? Oh, thank you. Your feathers smell like nighttime moss and the spice of the wind. There is a little hammock between your wings. My coat is getting so very heavy with sleepiness.

Juno: That is the threshold, ⟨Character 1⟩. The line between trying to sleep and letting sleep carry you. Once you cross it, you don't have to do anything. The moon will shine over your shoulder, and I will carry you home.

⟨Character 1⟩: Threshold... I will remember. Goodnight, moon. Goodnight, silver money on the pond. Juno, your steps are like rocking a boat made of clouds.

Juno: Sleep, little one. I will hang your lantern on the cedar branch by your window when we get there. The moon has followed us all the way. The kindest thing I have done all night was to simply walk beside you. Goodnight, ⟨Character 1⟩. Goodnight, good light in the sky.