Nilo and the rhythm of slowness

Today was one of those school days when everything was too much for Nilo.
The children were talking all over the place, pencils were clattering, chairs were squeaking.
Everyone seemed to know what to do quickly - except Nilo.
His thoughts were different, quieter, slower.
And suddenly he was ashamed of it.

He rested his head on his arms and wished he could just get away.

Then he heard a soft, ponderous yawn.
Something soft stroked his back, and a warm, fluffy voice murmured:
"Heeey, little whirlwind of a head ... maybe you need a break."

When Nilo looked up, he saw Sir Chillbert, the brown and beige sloth with the long huggable arms and fuzzy fur.
His half-closed eyes sparkled softly, as if he had known Nilo for a long time.

"Do you want to come to Snoozetopia with me?" asked Sir Chillbert comfortably.
"Everything's a bit ... well, slower there."

Before Nilo could answer, the air around him began to sparkle.
The sounds of the school became quieter, softer - like absorbent cotton floating over water.
Then he was standing in the middle of a forest of floating leaves that fell so slowly that you could see the time between their movements.

"Welcome to my favorite place," Sir Chillbert said. "No beat, no clock, no 'faster' or 'right' counts here. Only your own pace."

He pointed to a row of golden leaves gliding through the air.
"Let's play the sloth game. Move as slowly as you can - and feel the world waiting for you."

Nilo raised his arm.
Slowly, very slowly, until he could really feel the movement - the wind, the muscles, the weight of his hand.
Sir Chillbert followed suit, and they both moved as if they were dancing to the beat of calm.

"You see?" whispered Sir Chillbert. "You're not a bit wrong because you feel differently. You're just like these leaves - they don't fall at the same time. Everyone has their own way."

Nilo smiled. The shame had disappeared, as if it had dissolved in sunlight.
He felt light, calm and yet completely alive.

"When you're back at school," Sir Chillbert said gently, "and everything gets too fast - close your eyes for a moment and find your rhythm. The world can wait, Nilo."

One last golden leaf floated past them - and when Nilo touched it, he was back in the classroom.
The sounds were the same, but something inside him had changed.
He breathed calmly, moving at a leisurely pace, just as it felt right for him.

And somewhere deep in his heart he heard Sir Chillbert's sleepy voice:
"Slow is not less. Slow is wonderful you."