In a quiet eucalyptus forest, where the tall, silvery trees grew close together and the air smelled sweet and fresh, lived a little grey koala named Kiki. Kiki had round fluffy ears, a soft black nose, and big gentle brown eyes.
All through the warm afternoon, Kiki had played amongst the branches, nibbling on smooth green leaves and watching colourful parrots fly overhead.
But now, the sky was turning a soft shade of dusky rose and pale gold. The sun was setting behind the eucalyptus canopy.
Kiki felt a long, slow yawn building inside her. Yaaaaawn.
"Time for bed," Kiki murmured quietly.
She climbed slowly up her favourite eucalyptus tree—the biggest, sturdiest tree in the whole grove. Its bark was smooth and cool under her padded paws. Grip, climb, rest. Grip, climb, rest.
Halfway up, Kiki reached her special sleeping spot—a wide, curved branch where two thick limbs met the trunk, forming a perfect little cradle.
Kiki settled into the fork of the branch and pressed her soft, round back against the smooth bark. The tree felt solid, strong, and safe.
She reached out and pulled a cluster of silvery-green leaves close to her face. The leaves smelled sweet, cool, and fresh—like peppermint and rain.
Kiki breathed in slowly. In through her little black nose, out through her mouth. The sweet scent filled her with warmth and calm.
Below her, the forest floor was growing dark and quiet. A small wombat waddled into its burrow for the night. A family of possums curled up in a nearby hollow.
The evening breeze rocked Kiki's branch very gently. Sway, sway, still. Sway, sway, still.
It felt like being rocked in a giant, warm cradle made of wood and leaves.
Kiki wrapped her arms tightly around the branch and tucked her chin against her soft, furry chest. Her round ears drooped gently.
The first stars appeared through the gaps in the canopy, blinking down through the dark green leaves.
Kiki's eyes grew heavy. Her breathing became slow and deep.
She was warm. She was safe. She was held.
Goodnight, eucalyptus. Goodnight, forest. Goodnight, Kiki.
