Little Cora the Crane woke up and stretched her long neck. She looked down at the bright green grass. Oh! she chirped in surprise. Her shadow looked different today. It was short and fuzzy. Little Cora wondered where the rest of her shadow had gone.

Cora walked to the pond and met Pippy the Duck. The morning sun was just starting to climb. Look, Cora! Pippy quacked, pointing to the glowing sky. When the sun wakes up, your shadow wakes up too. It follows the light.

As the sun moved higher, Cora met Zippy the Frog. Cora hopped, but her shadow stayed very close to her toes. My shadow is hiding! Cora said. Zippy giggled and did a big leap. It is not hiding, Cora. When the sun goes high, your shadow hides right under your feet to stay cool.

By lunchtime, Cora found Toby the Turtle resting on a warm rock. The sun was now right above their heads. Hello, Toby, Cora whispered. My shadow is so tiny now. Is it lost? Toby blinked his slow eyes and smiled at the little crane.

Toby stretched his neck out of his shell. The sun is at the very top of the sky now, Toby explained. This is the time when shadows become the shortest they can be. Look at mine! Toby’s shadow was just a tiny dark circle on the stone.

Suddenly, a big, fluffy white cloud sailed across the sky and covered the sun. Cora looked down and gasped. My shadow is gone! It really is lost this time! Fluffy the Rabbit hopped over through the tall grass to see why Cora was worried.

Fluffy wiggled his pink nose and looked up at the sky. Don't be sad, Cora, Fluffy said kindly. Your shadow is just taking a little nap. It is resting behind the cloud where it is nice and quiet.

Soon, the cloud moved away and the sunlight splashed back onto the meadow. I see it! Cora cheered as her shadow reappeared. Fluffy hopped in a happy circle. See? As long as there is light, your shadow will always be there to play with you.

In the golden afternoon, Glimmer the Dragonfly zipped through the air. She hovered right in front of Cora’s beak. Look behind you, Cora! Glimmer buzzed. Cora turned around and saw her shadow growing longer and longer across the field.

Glimmer flew low over the grass, following the edge of the long shadow. The sun is moving down for the evening, Glimmer explained. When the sun gets low, the shadows stretch out far to say hello to the trees.

The sky turned beautiful shades of orange, pink, and purple. Cora’s shadow was now very, very long. It looked like a giant crane dancing on the grass. Cora flapped her wings and spun around, dancing a happy dance with her tall shadow friend.

The stars began to twinkle as Cora walked back to her cozy nest. She wasn't worried anymore. She knew the sun and the light made magic with her shadow every day. Goodnight, shadow, Cora whispered happily. I will see you in the morning!