This charming story uses the lullaby "Rock-a-bye Baby" as a metaphor for the life cycle of maple leaves. As a little girl named Helena plays under a tree, the narrative describes the buds as "cradles" holding sleeping "leaf babies" in spring. These leaves "wake up," grow large to provide shade in summer, change into colourful "gowns" in autumn, and fall, leaving new buds (cradles with new babies) ready for the next spring. It's a gentle introduction to the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of plant life, comparing it to the familiar act of rocking a baby to sleep.