Crusty the crocodile wasn't like the other crocodiles. While they loved splashing and playing all day, Crusty loved quiet evenings. He had a fluffy, green bedspread and a little nightlight shaped like a firefly.
One night, Crusty’s friend, Fiona the flamingo, came to visit. Fiona was full of energy, even at bedtime! She zoomed around Crusty's cave, flapping her bright pink wings.
Crusty tried to explain his bedtime routine. "First, I brush my teeth with my special banana-flavored toothpaste," he said, showing Fiona his tiny toothbrush.
Then, I read my favorite book about sleepy sloths. After that, I drink a glass of warm, bubbly water and put on my cozy pajamas." Fiona giggled, "Pajamas? You wear pajamas?"
Crusty chuckled. "Yes! They're comfy and help me sleep well." Fiona, still bouncing with energy, didn't seem to understand. She tried to do cartwheels on Crusty's bed!
Crusty gently suggested, "Fiona, bedtime is a special time for quiet and rest. It helps us grow big and strong. Maybe we could read your favorite book together?"
Fiona, surprisingly, agreed. She snuggled next to Crusty and listened quietly as he read her a story about a playful penguin learning to sleep. Fiona's energy started to calm.
After the story, Fiona drank some warm bubbly water (she loved it!). She even tried on one of Crusty's cozy pajamas, although it was a little too big for her long legs.
Soon, Fiona's eyelids got heavy. She yawned widely, a big, pink yawn. "Thank you, Crusty," she whispered, "That was a lovely bedtime." She fell fast asleep.
Crusty smiled. He tucked Fiona in with his green bedspread and switched off the firefly nightlight. He knew that following a calming bedtime routine wasn't just good for him, but it helped his friends too. He drifted off to sleep, dreaming of sleepy sloths and happy flamingos.