The night was supposed to be quiet, but for Monkey Lyly, sleep seemed impossible. She curled up in her favorite spot, closing her little eyes and trying to drift away into dreams, yet every time she began to relax, the noises around the house startled her.
A creak from the hallway made her ears perk. A soft thud from outside sent her eyes wide open again. Even the faint hum of traffic in the distance felt louder than usual. Lyly shifted positions again and again, tossing and turning, hoping the sounds would fade. But instead of settling, she grew more restless.
Her little hands clutched at her blanket, and she let out a quiet sigh. All she wanted was peace, a stretch of silence where she could finally rest. She peered around the room, searching for reassurance. The shadows danced on the walls, and her curious mind turned each noise into something mysterious. Was it the wind? A passing animal? Or just the house settling in for the night?
Dad noticed her fidgeting and came closer, speaking in a soft, calming voice. His presence always made her feel safe, but even so, Lyly’s ears kept twitching at every sound. She leaned into him, trying to steady her breathing, yet her little body stayed tense.
Finally, Dad scooped her up and gently rocked her in his arms. He whispered that everything was okay, that the noises were nothing to fear. Slowly, her heartbeat steadied, and her grip loosened. The noises didn’t stop, but with Dad nearby, they didn’t feel so overwhelming anymore.
Lyly’s eyes began to close, this time for real. Her restlessness gave way to a fragile calm, and soon she drifted into a soft sleep, safe and warm in Dad’s embrace.
Sometimes, all it takes to quiet the world’s noise is knowing someone is there to keep you safe. For Monkey Lyly, that was all she needed to finally rest.
