Lily loved bedtime. She loved the soft glow of her nightlight, the smell of her lavender-scented sheets, and most of all, she loved the bedtime stories her Papa told her.
Tonight, Papa sat beside her, a warm blanket tucked around them both. 'Tonight's story,' he began, his voice a gentle rumble, 'is about a little girl just like you, named Luna.'
Luna lived in a cozy little house nestled beside a whispering willow tree. She loved playing in her garden all day, chasing butterflies and giggling with the bumblebees. But when the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, a little bit of worry would creep into Luna's heart.
The shadows in her room seemed to grow longer and more mysterious as darkness fell. Sometimes, she imagined silly monsters hiding under her bed, their tiny claws scratching at the floorboards. But Luna was a brave little girl.
One night, feeling particularly scared, Luna whispered to her Papa, 'Papa, I think there's a monster under my bed!' Papa smiled, his eyes twinkling. 'Don't worry, Luna,' he said, 'we'll face it together.'
He gently lifted the bedspread, and they both peered underneath. No monster was there, only a fluffy, dust bunny! Luna giggled, the fear melting away like ice cream on a summer day.
Papa explained that sometimes, our imaginations can play tricks on us, especially in the dark. He showed Luna how to use her nightlight to make the shadows less scary, and how to listen to the quiet sounds of the night – the gentle ticking of the clock, the rustling of leaves outside.
Papa told Luna that even brave people get scared sometimes. It’s okay to feel afraid, but it's important to remember that we are strong, and we can face our fears with the help of the people we love.
He then showed her a special, shimmering moonstone he kept on his bedside table. ‘This moonstone,’ he said, ‘holds the light of bravery. Hold it close when you feel afraid, and remember how much I love you. That light will always guide you.’
From that night on, Luna still sometimes felt a tickle of fear, but holding her moonstone, remembering her Papa’s love, and using her nightlight, she felt much braver. She learned that nighttime could be peaceful and full of magical dreams, just like her days.
And Lily, snuggled close to her Papa, smiled. She knew she, too, was brave, and she knew that even if she felt scared sometimes, she had her Papa's love, and that was the greatest bravery of all. Sweet dreams, Lily.