In a cozy village in India, there stood a big, big banyan tree. Its branches spread wide like gentle arms, ready to hug the whole world. This was where all the crows lived, sleeping soundly every night.
But tonight, little Kiki the crow couldn’t sleep.
“Caw, caw,” she whispered softly, tossing and turning on her branch. “Why can’t I sleep?”
The warm breeze rustled through the leaves. Whoosh, whoosh. All her crow friends were dreaming peacefully. Mama Crow was snoring. Papa Crow was snoring. Even baby brother was snoring!
Then Kiki heard something magical.
“Tu-whoo, tu-whoo! The stars are dancing bright, The moon is smiling down tonight…”
“Who’s singing such a pretty song?” wondered Kiki. She fluttered down, branch by branch, following the sweet melody.
There, on a lower branch, sat a fluffy young owl with big, round eyes that sparkled like golden coins.
“Hello!” said the owl. “I’m Ollie! Why are you awake? All crows should be sleeping now!”
Kiki rubbed her sleepy eyes. “I couldn’t sleep. Your song is so beautiful! But… but…” She remembered what the elder crows always said. “Crows and owls can’t be friends. We’re too different!”
Ollie’s golden eyes became sad. “Oh. I’ve heard that story too. The owls say the same thing.”
“But why are you awake at night?” asked Kiki, tilting her little head.
“This is when I wake up!” laughed Ollie. “I sleep all day when the sun is shining. Nighttime is my playtime! Look how beautiful everything is!”
Kiki looked around. She had never really seen the night before. The stars twinkled like tiny diamonds. The flowers glowed white in the moonlight. Everything looked magical!
“It IS pretty,” she admitted. “But I wish we could play together.”
Just then, a gentle voice floated down from the sky. “My dear little ones…”
Both birds looked up. There was Chanda Mama, the moon, smiling down at them with his kind, round face.
“Chanda Mama!” they chirped together.
“I see two sad little birds,” said Chanda Mama, his silver light making everything glow. “Would you like to know a secret?”
“Yes, yes!” Kiki and Ollie nodded eagerly.
“Long, long ago,” Chanda Mama began, “when the world was new, all birds played together. But the world needed protectors both day and night. So, the crows were given the gift of sunshine, to guard the day. And the owls were given the gift of moonlight, to guard the night.”
“Really?” gasped Kiki.
“Really?” hooted Ollie.
“Yes, little ones. You are like brother and sister, taking turns to keep our world safe. The crows watch over sleeping children during the day. The owls watch over them at night. You’re a team!”
Kiki and Ollie looked at each other with wonder.
“So we’re not enemies?” asked Ollie.
“We’re helpers?” asked Kiki.
“The very best of helpers,” smiled Chanda Mama. “And the very best of friends can meet when night meets day.”
“When is that?” they asked together.
“At twilight time! When the sun says goodbye and I say hello. And at dawn, when I say goodbye and the sun says hello!”
Kiki yawned a big yawn. All this excitement was making her very sleepy now. “Ollie, will you meet me at sunset tomorrow?”
“And at sunrise too!” hooted Ollie happily. “We’ll be twilight friends!”
“Now,” said Chanda Mama gently, “shall we sing a lullaby together? Little Kiki needs her sleep to guard tomorrow.”
And so, under the smiling moon, the new friends sang:
“Day birds, night birds, all sleep tight, Chanda Mama guards the night. Close your eyes and rest your head, Dream sweet dreams in your cozy bed.”
Kiki’s eyes grew heavy. “Yawn… Good night, Ollie. Good night, Chanda Mama.”
“Sweet dreams, little crow,” whispered Ollie.
Kiki flew back to her branch, snuggled next to Mama Crow, and fell fast asleep. And every evening after that, when the sky turned orange and pink, two little birds would meet and sing their twilight song.
Because now they knew the secret: Different times, different ways, but friends can be friends always.
