It had been a busy day, a lot of miles traveled. It had been a happy day with family. Then, it was the end of the day and night came slipping in to tuck the memories away. I dozed off on the sofa. Something woke me–a tapping, the soft rumble of thunder. Rain! Rain drummed on the deck and bounced off the patio table.
As darkness fell, I thought about my family settling in, discussing events, putting the past hours into their proper places. My extended family has scattered to far-off places as well as here in NW Arkansas. But, I think about each one–some in cold climes, some in warm; some by a northern lakeside, some in bustling cities. You, doubtless will think me fanciful, but by now, you know that I am–I also like to think of the animals and birds in nests, under the shelter of leaves, wherever their homes are, drowsing and resting until the morning.
As a child, I enjoyed those children’s books which featured animals. I was once told, by those who supposedly knew, that attributing speech and human characteristics to animals was not the thing to do, but I liked those tales anyway. 
The Thornton W. Burgess books were some of my favorites. They were like a lullaby; they were peaceful stories, a good way to relax and end the day.
Rain still fell as I went to bed, soft and gentle, like the night shadows, like my sleepy thoughts. Worries and busy hours were laid aside. They could all wait till morning.
Manos Mysteries
What? You can’t have talking animals anymore for children’s books??!! I think our generation grew up to be very well adjusted adults.
This was a few years back when I was writing for children’s magazines. The ones I sent manuscripts to specified no “humanizing” animals or having them talk or act like people. However, I’ve certainly seen books since that time where the author gives them that ability. Maybe it was a phase publishers and editors went through back in the long ago.
Sharon, I’ve changed that to past tense, because the children’s stories I wrote were certainly in the past–long ago! And, maybe I just chose the wrong publishers.