Barnaby Bear was a very busy little cub. All day long, he zoomed and played! He tumbled with his friends, splashed in the stream, and built the tallest tower of sticks he could find. But now, the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. It was almost bedtime.
Barnaby’s tummy rumbled, not from hunger, but from a little bit of worry. Sometimes, bedtime felt…lonely. He liked being with his friends! He scampered into the cozy cave, where Mama Bear and Papa Bear were already getting ready for the night.
“Oh, Barnaby!” Mama Bear smiled, opening her arms for a big hug. “We were wondering when our little explorer would come home.” Barnaby snuggled close. It *did* feel good to be hugged.
Papa Bear was reading a story about a little firefly who learned to shine. Barnaby loved story time with his family. He crawled between Mama and Papa Bear on their big, soft moss bed. It smelled like warm honey and pine needles.
“Do you know what makes story time even more special, Barnaby?” Papa Bear asked. Barnaby shook his head. “Sharing it with the ones you love!” Mama Bear added, kissing Barnaby’s nose.
Barnaby thought about his friends. He loved playing with them, but being with his Mama and Papa Bear felt…different. It felt safe and warm and full of love. He realized that even though playing was fun, being with his family at bedtime was the *best* part of the day.
As Papa Bear read, Barnaby’s eyelids grew heavy. He snuggled closer and closer, listening to the gentle rhythm of his Papa’s voice. He felt so grateful for his family, for their warm hugs, and for their cozy bedtime stories.
“I love you, Mama,” Barnaby mumbled sleepily. “I love you, Papa.”
“We love you too, Barnaby,” they both whispered. And as the little firefly in the story finally found his shine, Barnaby Bear drifted off to sleep, knowing he was loved and safe and sound with his family. Sweet dreams, little one.