In the middle of the wheat field stood a scarecrow.
His name was Straw.
Daytime Straw was excellent at his job.
Arms out. Hat on. Button eyes catching the light. Birds taking one look and deciding they had better things to do.
But nighttime Straw was different.
Because at night — when the farmhouse lights went out and the moon came up —
Straw walked. 🌾
🌙 The Night Rounds
He had learned the whole farm in the dark.
Every row of wheat. Every soft place in the fence where a fox might push through. Every corner where the grain store let in a draft.
He walked slowly. Straw didn’t move fast. He was not built for speed.
Rustle rustle step. Rustle rustle step.
The animals knew him.
The cows didn’t startle when he passed.
The sheep moved aside politely.
The barn cat — who saw everything and told nothing — watched him from the rafters with professional respect.
He was a good guard.
The best kind: silent, steady, always there.
🌾 What the Animals Said
One autumn night, Straw stopped at the barn.
The animals were awake — storms made them restless.
The old cow looked at him.
“You scared a fox off the north fence last Tuesday,” she said.
“I saw it coming,” said Straw.
“We know you walk at night,” said the horse. “We’ve always known.”
“I didn’t know if you minded,” said Straw.
“Mind?” The cow’s big eyes were steady. “We sleep better for it.”
Straw stood in the barn doorway for a moment.
He was a scarecrow.
He had always thought his job was to frighten things away.
But it turned out his job was to help things feel safe.
Different. But better.
💛 Luna Sees the Footprints
Luna found the prints in the morning.
Straw-shaped footprints, going in slow loops around the field.
Starting at the scarecrow post — which was empty, just the pole and the crossed arms — and returning to it by dawn.
Luna stood at the post for a long time.
Looked at the footprints.
Looked at the scarecrow.
The button eyes looked back, catching the morning light.
Luna didn’t say anything.
Some things don’t need saying.
Luna just put a hand briefly on Straw’s stuffed sleeve.
And Straw stood a little straighter in the new morning light. 🌾