At the end of the garden, where the grass turns into forest, a red fox was waiting for Noah. “You've been chosen,” he said. “Tonight, you'll be the guardian of the forest.” And he placed a crown of leaves on Noah's head.
The mission was simple: make sure every animal finds sleep. Noah tucked up the hedgehogs' blanket of moss, sang a lullaby to the baby birds, and gently blew on the fireflies to dim their light.
But one little squirrel couldn't sleep: he had lost his favorite hazelnut. Noah searched everywhere, and found it nestled in a fern. The squirrel hugged it close and finally let out a great big yawn.
“The forest is calm,” said the fox. “You've watched well.” Noah smiled, proud, but his own eyes were beginning to sting with tiredness.
The fox walked him back to the garden. “Come back whenever you like, guardian.” Noah tiptoed inside, set his crown of leaves by the bed, and fell asleep dreaming of all his friends, snug and warm. Good night.