Tala, the Star That Could Not Sleep by Augie Rivera

Every night, and only a few know this, every star in the vast night sky, stops twinkling and falls asleep.

Everyone, that is, except for Tala, the little star who could not fall asleep.

Tala turns, and stretches, and curls in her cloud-bed, but no matter what she does, she just couldn’t fall asleep.


“You must learn how to count, Tala, just like your brothers and sisters,” said Mother Moon. “Try counting things.”

“But what will I count?”

“Just look below and look closely, and count all the beautiful things that you can see. This might help you fall asleep.”


So, Tala peers over the edge of her cloud-bed to look below. And what does she see?


A puppy in a tub, wagging its tail after a warm bath.


Two colts giggling, as they clean their horsy ears.


Three bunnies on their backs, powder-puffed by their mama.


Four billy goats, putting on their neat pajamas.


Five kittens on the roof, brushing their teeth.


Six piglets in their pen, enjoying a tummy massage.


Seven ducklings cuddling, as Papa Duck rocks them to sleep.


Eight tadpoles humming, as Mama Frog croaks a lullaby.


Nine chicks listening to a bedtime story.


Ten babies yawning in a quiet, dim nursery.



Finally, Tala yawns and twinkles a faint glow.


Tucked in her fluffy cloud-bed in the vast night sky, she finally falls asleep.


Good night!