Lily was a little girl with bright, sparkly eyes and a heart full of sunshine. But sometimes, when the sun went down, Lily felt a tiny bit scared. Not of monsters, exactly, but of the shadows that danced on her bedroom wall.
Tonight was one of those nights. Lily’s mommy had just tucked her in, and the room was getting darker. The shadows looked like wiggly worms, and Lily squeezed her eyes shut. “Mommy?” she whispered.
Mommy came back and sat on the edge of the bed. “What is it, my sweet Lily-bug?” she asked, giving Lily a gentle hug. “The shadows… they look funny,” Lily said, pointing a small finger.
Mommy smiled. “Shadows are just playful shapes made by the light, Lily. They can’t hurt you. And you are very brave!” Mommy then started Lily’s bedtime routine. First, they read a story about a friendly bear who loved honey.
Then, Mommy sang Lily’s favorite lullaby, a soft and gentle song about twinkling stars. Lily snuggled close, feeling warm and safe. Mommy rubbed Lily’s back, and Lily’s breathing began to slow down.
“Do you know what helps me feel brave when I’m a little scared?” Mommy asked. Lily shook her head. “I think about all the love around me. I think about you, and Daddy, and Grandma, and all the people who care about me.”
Lily closed her eyes and thought about all the people who loved her. She thought about her fluffy bunny, Barnaby, and her colorful building blocks. She thought about the yummy cookies she had with Daddy that afternoon.
Suddenly, the shadows didn’t seem so scary anymore. They were just… shadows. And Lily felt a warm, cozy feeling inside. She knew that even when things felt a little bit strange, she was loved and safe.
“I love you, Mommy,” Lily whispered. “I love you too, my sweet girl,” Mommy replied, giving Lily one last kiss on the forehead. “Now close your eyes and dream sweet dreams.”
Lily closed her eyes, and soon she was fast asleep, dreaming of honey bears, twinkling stars, and all the love in the world. And the shadows? They danced quietly on the wall, watching over their brave little girl.