With a flap of its wings, a brown owl swept into the circle of trees.

Beauty let out her breath.

Bloom’s head was still hidden under her tail.

“You can look now,” Beauty whispered to her. “It’s an owl!”

“An owl?” Bloom said. She poked her head out. “Oh, sure,” she said. “That makes sense, with the hooting and all. We just don’t have any owls at the palace. That’s why I didn’t know.”

Beauty smiled. She had been so scared to come into the woods. But in a pinch, she had been brave for her friend. Maybe she was more than just a pampered kitten.

The owl flew over to Beauty and Bloom. “I haven’t seen you here before,” he said. “Whooo are you? What brings you to the woods?”

“I’m Beauty,” Beauty said. “And this is Bloom. We’re Princess Aurora’s pets.”

As she spoke, other critters came out of the woods. Little yellow, blue, and pink birds flew over from high branches. Squirrels scrambled down the trees. Chipmunks popped out of holes in the ground. Bunnies hopped across the forest floor. They all seemed interested in what Beauty was saying.

“Aurora?” one of the bunnies said. “That’s Briar Rose! We knew her ages ago. Back then, she didn’t know she was a princess!”

“She didn’t?” Beauty asked.

“Nope,” a squirrel answered. “She lived in a quiet little cottage with her three aunts. Of course, they weren’t her real aunts. They were three good fairies.”

“They were? She did?” Beauty echoed.

She had never heard about this part of Aurora’s life. She had no idea Aurora had so many forest friends!

Bloom got to her hooves. “A quiet cottage?” she repeated. “Beauty, don’t you see? That’s perfect for us!”

Beauty nodded. “You’re right!” she said. She explained to the owl and squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and bunnies about the star shower. And about the party. And about midnight. And about how terribly sleepy she was. The animals were very understanding.

“We’ll take you to the cottage,” a yellow bird twittered.

“You’ll get plenty of rest there,” added a blue bird.

“Come on!” called a pink bird, who led the way.

The animals passed birches and oaks. They passed fallen logs. They passed spots where the trees were so thick, the owl decided to say farewell. They crossed a gully. Finally, they saw the cottage ahead of them.

The cottage was nestled into the roots of a grand old tree. It had a thatched roof and a brick chimney. Next to it, a stream turned a waterwheel.

Bloom pushed open the door. Directly across the floor was a set of stairs.

“This way,” a bunny said. He hopped ahead of Beauty up the staircase.

Beauty followed him a little more slowly. The cottage looked so interesting! She wouldn’t mind having a peek around first.

Then she shook her head. That would be silly. Sleeping was better than anything, right? It was even better than looking around Aurora’s old home.

At the top of the stairs was a room with a cozy bed. Beauty leaped onto it.

“This was Briar Rose’s bed,” the bunny said.

“I can tell,” Beauty said. It looked like a lovely place to nap.

No hammering. No sawing. No sweeping or mopping or dusting. No rattling chairs and clattering tables. No hooting owls.

Finally, Beauty would get some sleep!