Chapter 7

7 "That's easy," said Stella. "It HAS to be you, Rosie." Phoebe nodded. "You're the best storyteller," she said to Rosie. "And you love doing it, right?" Rosie smiled, but she felt a bit nervous. It was true that she loved making up stories. But usually she did it just for fun. She'd never had to invent one that mattered so much!

The bigger moth fluttered over and came to rest in front of her. He crossed two legs impatiently. "Well?" he said. "We can't wait all day, you know." "It's not like nighttime is about to fall anytime soon," muttered Stella. Rosie thought fast. She often put her friends into the stories she told at their sleepovers. They always seemed to enjoy that. Maybe the moths would like it, too? It was worth a try. "Once upon a time, there were two moths," she began. "They were beautiful brown-and-pink moths, and they lived together in the special place where the rays of sunset lifted up to the sky." The little moth fluttered his wings excitedly. "Just like us, Dad!" The younger moth leaned forward, listening intently. Even the grumpy dad moth seemed interested.

Rosie closed her eyes and let the story flow out of her. Often when Rosie was telling a story, it didn't really feel like she was making it up at all. It was more like she was unfurling the story that was rolled up inside her. This story was like that. It was about a brave little moth and his dad, who were going to a midnight ball on the moon. Their wings were specially painted with stardust so they would shine brightly in the pale light. Some friendly Night Dragons gave the moths a lift up to the moon. Then the moths danced so beautifully, they were made the king and prince of the Midnight Moon Ball. While she was talking, Rosie almost forgot where she was. This happened when she was telling a story. She got so lost in it that she didn't think about anything else but the tale itself. When she finished, she slowly opened one eye and then the other. It all came flooding back. She was a Night Dragon in the Magic Forest. And she

was telling a grumpy moth and his son a story in exchange for a trip to the daydream maker. "That was great!" said the little moth, fluttering happily. "Don't you think, Dad?" The bigger moth sat very still, his six legs all clasped together before him. "It… was… beautiful." He sighed. His voice sounded quite different. Instead of grouchy, the moth now sounded peaceful and relaxed. "I

haven't heard a story like that since I was a caterpillar." He gave a huge yawn and stretched two of his legs. "It has made me very sleepy. I'm going to have a little nap now." "So, can I catch one of the rays?" Rosie asked. "You sure can! Hop on," said the little moth cheerfully. "I'll take you up right away." "You're going to leave?" said the dad moth, yawning. "Wouldn't you like to stay and tell more stories?" "Sorry, but we need to get these daydreams repaired," said Rosie firmly. "Daydreaming is where stories come from, after all. If we run out of daydreams, there won't be any more stories." That woke the moth up. He sprang to his feet— all six of them. "Quickly then, Mothew!" he said, calling to the smaller moth. "Take this Night Dragon up to the daydream maker. You know the way, don't you?" "Absolutely!" said Mothew proudly.

He flew over to where the gleaming rays rose from the treetops. The Night Dragons followed behind. Rosie gasped. From a distance, the rays looked very steady and still. But now that she was up close, Rosie saw that was not the case. The rays were in motion, like a sort of magical escalator. Only they were MUCH faster than any escalator Rosie had ever been on! "I'm a little nervous," Rosie admitted to Mothew, looking up at the fast-moving rays. "Don't be," said the little moth. "Just hold on to the sides, and don't let go. We will be traveling very fast and very high." Rosie gulped. This was not very reassuring! Stella and Phoebe handed her the other strings holding the net of daydreams together. "Don't let go of this, either," said Stella. "It would be terrible if the daydreams escaped while you were on your way up."