It is the first night of Ramadan.
The sky is soft and blue.
The moon is a thin silver smile.
Lanterns blink in the garden.
Crickets sing a tiny song.
Nori is a small dragon.
Her scales shine like leaves after rain.
Her nest is warm and neat.
She has a favorite game in a little box.
The game is called Moon Steps.
Tonight, Nori has a mission.
She will lend Moon Steps to her neighbor.
Her neighbor is a gentle moth named Luma.
Luma likes calm games and calm nights.
Nori holds the box close.
“I will lend my game,” Nori says.
She feels brave and kind.
She feels a quiet glow in her belly.
It is not a fire puff.
It is a thank-you glow.
Ramadan is a special time.
It is a time for soft voices and soft hearts.
It is a time to share and to wait.
It is a time to look up and smile at the moon.
Nori smiles at the silver smile above.
She walks past the mint plants.
She walks past the sleepy stones.
A firefly floats like a tiny lamp.
“Hello, little light,” Nori says.
The firefly bobbles and lights the path.
Nori hears a tap-tap.
The box wiggles in her claws.
It is a friendly wiggle.
But oh! The lid slips a little.
A piece of the game is missing.
Nori stops and takes a slow breath.
“It is okay,” she says.
“We will find it, and all is well.”
She looks by the mint.
She looks by the stones.
A star flickers in a puddle.
It is only the moon, playing peek-a-boo.
But near the puddle is a small round piece.
It is the moon token from the game.
“Thank you,” Nori whispers to the night.
The firefly hovers lower.
It makes the token shine.
Nori sets the piece back in the box.
She closes the lid and pats it.
The box sits still and happy.
She reaches Luma's porch.
Luma's wings glimmer like tea.
Candles glow like tiny suns.
“Hello, Nori,” Luma says.
“Hello, Luma,” Nori says.
“I brought Moon Steps,” Nori says.
“It is for your evening picnic.”
Luma flutters with joy.
“Thank you,” Luma says.
“Your kindness is sweet as warm bread.”
Other neighbors come to say hello.
A shy snail leaves a silver bow.
A robin hums a low note.
A cloud drifts like a slow ship.
Everyone shares smiles and small bites.
They wait for the sky to blush.
They whisper thank you for the day.
They whisper thank you for the night.
Nori feels her thank you glow grow.
It feels like a cozy blanket.
Luma plays one round with careful feet.
She hops the moon tokens, one by one.
Nori claps in a gentle way.
The game makes soft, happy sounds.
They laugh a little laugh together.
Soon, the lanterns blink slower.
The garden gets sleepy and sweet.
Nori knows it is time to go.
She knows about rest and gentle endings.
She knows about sharing and return.
“Keep it for tomorrow,” Luma offers.
Nori shakes her head with a smile.
“I promised to bring it back tonight,” she says.
“I like to keep my promise.”
Her words feel warm and right.
Nori walks home with the box.
The firefly floats beside her.
The moon follows like a friend.
The mint smells green and kind.
The stones hum a quiet hum.
In her nest, Nori sits with the game.
She thinks of lanterns and patient hearts.
She thinks of soft songs and shared bites.
She feels full of gratitude.
She feels small and bright under the big sky.
Nori places each token in its place.
She counts slow and sure.
One, two, three, four.
She smooths the soft board.
She lifts the lid, lowers the lid, and closes it.
