Once there was a dragon named Ember who could not sleep.
She lived in a cozy cave in the mountains. She had a nice pile of gold to sleep on. She had a warm fire in her belly. But every night, Ember tossed and turned.
"I'm so tired," Ember yawned. Her yawn made a little puff of smoke.
One day, a tiny knight came to her cave. But this knight did not have a sword. She had a small bag.
"Are you here to fight me?" asked Ember.
"No," said the knight. Her name was Penny. "I heard you can't sleep. I'm here to help."
Ember was confused. "Knights usually want to fight dragons."
"I'm not that kind of knight," said Penny. "I'm a Sleep Knight. I help anyone who can't sleep. Even dragons."
Penny opened her bag. Inside were many things: a soft blanket, a little book, some lavender flowers, and a music box.
"Let's try some things," said Penny.
First, she gave Ember the soft blanket. Ember wrapped it around herself. It felt nice, but she still couldn't sleep.
Next, Penny put lavender flowers near Ember's nose. It smelled lovely, but Ember still couldn't sleep.
Then Penny had an idea. "When did you last sleep well?"
Ember thought hard. "When I was a baby. My mother used to hum to me."
Penny wound up the music box. A gentle tune began to play. It sounded like a lullaby.
Ember's eyes grew heavy.
"She also used to tell me I was safe," Ember whispered.
Penny sat beside the dragon. "You are safe, Ember. You can rest now."
Ember felt her body relax. The music played. The blanket was warm. A friend was near.
For the first time in a long time, Ember slept.
When she woke up, the sun was shining. Penny was still there, reading her little book.
"You stayed," said Ember.
"Of course," said Penny. "That's what friends do."
From then on, Penny visited Ember every night. She wound the music box. She told Ember she was safe.
And the dragon who couldn't sleep became the dragon who dreamed the most wonderful dreams.
THE END