The Sleepless Forest

Deep in the mountains, there was a forest where no one could fall asleep. Travelers reported hearing lullabies in the wind, but those who listened too closely were found days later — standing, eyes closed, still humming.

A scientist named Aria arrived to study the phenomenon. Every night, she recorded the melodies, hoping to find their source. One dawn, she followed the song into the mist and found an ancient tree carved with faces — hundreds of them, peacefully dreaming.

She realized the truth: these were the people who had tried to rest there. The forest was keeping their dreams alive.

The climax: Aria sang softly to the tree, offering her own dream in exchange for theirs. When the sun rose, the forest was silent for the first time. But in her tent, her recorder played back a voice that wasn’t hers, whispering:

“Thank you for letting us sleep.”