It was another sunny day in the Morphadoodle meadow and Goo Goo and Sun Smile were playing a friendly game of hide and seek.

“1,2,3…” Sun Smile counted from behind a cloud as Goo Goo dashed about looking for a clever hiding spot. He had his trusty orange box with him, so he needed to find a leafy bush or some really tall grass to disappear from view.

“9, 10, 11…” Sun Smile continued. Running out of time, Goo Goo hesitated at the edge of the forest. From where he stood, he could see a tree with brightly colored leaves flapping in the breeze. The tree had a big thick trunk – wide enough to hide his orange box. It was darker in the forest, but it was still day light and he figured that Sun Smile would find him rather quickly. Goo Goo took a deep breath, dashed behind the tree, dove headfirst into his orange box and waited for his cheerful friend to shine above him.

Goo Goo waited, and waited, and waited some more. He waited so long in his favorite orange box that the chirping and buzzing of the forest lulled him to sleep. He slept deep into the night. Suddenly, his box began to move. He was jostled around to the left, to the right, tilted left again, and fell out onto the ground with a THUD. Now wide awake, Goo Goo opened his eyes to see a large brown snout and wet pink tongue approaching. The nose sniffed and snorted. The tongue licked and tickled. Finally, he saw the kind eyes of a very surprised MorphaZOOdle dog who let out a startled yip.

“Oh my goodness! I didn’t know that anyone lived in this box. I saw it behind my tree and thought it would be a nice addition to my collection of treasures. I am Lizzie, the great finder of all things. I just have a nose for it I suppose.”

Relieved to find himself in the company of such a friendly dog, Goo Goo said, “Well, I was waiting to be found, but now it’s dark and Sun Smile is gone. I don’t like the dark.”

“Well, lucky for you I sniffed out your fine orange box and brought you to the Leaf Through Library. It’s quite late and you should be asleep. Your friend Sun Smile should rise in just a few more hours. Make yourself comfortable and I will read you a special poem from the “Book with No Cover”.”

Lizzie opened her book to a dog-eared page, gave a little bark to clear her throat and began to read:

“Xian Xian The Love Rat”

If you are ever frightened

When the sun turns out her light

You can always call for Xian Xian

To help you through the night

She will slip out from her soft nest

In the hollow of a tree

And bring The Sandman’s crystals

Wherever you may be

If you’re a wee bit hungry

She will share a bedtime snack

And if you need some comfort

She will gently rub your back

She will whisk away loud noises

With her rainbow-colored tail

And you will soon

See The Man in the Moon

On his nightly journey sail

If you’d like to thank her

Upon waking the next day

Draw a picture of your dream

And send it Xian Xian’s way

Mail it to:

Xian Xian The Love Rat

c/o the Hollow Tree

Deep in the Park

(The Tree that’s filled with Music

When Daylight turns to Dark).

Lizzie quietly closed the book and asked “Did that poem make you feel better, Goo Goo? …Goo Goo?”

But Goo Goo did not answer. He had fallen into a deep slumber and was dreaming of the picture that he would send to Xian Xian’s hollow tree.