Leo the Lion crouches beneath a sprawling acacia tree, his amber eyes wide with unease. The coming darkness pools around the roots, and every rustle in the grass makes him shiver. Though the king of the savannah, Leo feels small as the last sunbeam vanishes.

Leo tucks his tail close, trying to appear brave though his heart thumps loudly. Every sound—the hoot of an owl, the chirp of a cricket—seems magnified in the inky darkness. "Why must it be so dark and endless?" he whispers, his voice barely more than a sigh.

Mira the Mouse[/@ch_2], tiny and soft, scurries up to Leo's side. The grass parts slightly, letting in a sliver of moonlight that bathes them in silver glow.] Mira the Mouse, friend to all, perches bravely upon a root near Leo. "Leo, why do you tremble when the stars come out?" Leo sighs, his mane barely stirring. "The dark hides things I cannot see. It feels lonely and cold," he admits.

Mira smiles, her whiskers twitching. "But Leo, darkness is not empty. It is full of gentle sounds and glowing lights. Close your eyes and listen: the night sings a lullaby just for you." Leo hesitates, but lets his eyes flutter shut, allowing the song of crickets and the soft breeze to wash over him.

With Mira by his side, Leo feels his fear ebbing away. He opens his eyes, noticing the beauty hidden in the night—the twinkling stars, the glowing insects, the peaceful hush. "Maybe the dark isn't so scary after all," he murmurs, a tentative smile curling on his lips.

As the first light of day warms his mane, Leo sits tall, proud that he faced his fear. Mira chirps a cheerful goodbye, disappearing into the grass. Leo knows now that even in the darkest night, friendship and courage can let the light in.