The Shadow Safari

Milo, a tiny mouse with soft brown fur, snuggled deep in his cozy matchbox bed. Moonlight painted his small room with soft, silver light. But with the light came shadows.

A tall, wobbly shadow danced on the wall. It looked like a giant, grumpy monster with long, pointy arms. Milo’s tiny heart thumped like a drum.

Another shadow stretched across the floor, dark and twisty. Was it a snarling beast, ready to pounce? Milo squeezed his eyes shut, wishing it would disappear.

"Milo? Are you still awake?" a gentle voice whispered. It was Stella, his big sister, her bright eyes sparkling. She held her special, tiny flashlight.

Milo uncovered his face. "The shadows, Stella," he squeaked. "They look so big and scary tonight. Like monsters watching me."

Stella looked at the dancing shapes. She thought for a moment, then a clever smile spread across her face. "I know!" she whispered excitedly.

"Let's go on a Shadow Safari!" she declared. She clicked on her shiny flashlight, sending a bright beam across the room.

"See that big, grumpy monster?" Stella aimed her light. She wiggled the beam, making the shadow stretch and shrink.

"Now, it's not a monster at all!" Stella giggled. "It's a sleepy bear, yawning widely, ready for a long nap!"

Milo blinked. He looked closely. The scary edges were gone! It *did* look like a fluffy, sleepy bear. A tiny giggle escaped him.

"What about that twisty beast?" Stella asked, aiming her light at the next dark shape. "Let's see what it really is!"

With a flick of her wrist, the shadow changed. "Look, Milo! It's a friendly waving tree, saying hello to the moon!"

Milo took the flashlight. His paw felt a little shaky, but he aimed it at a small, pointy shadow. "What's this one?" he whispered.