Barnaby the bear cub loved playing. He tumbled and leaped, explored the meadow, and chased butterflies all day long.
But as the sun began to dip below the hills, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Mama Bear nudged Barnaby gently.
"Barnaby, it's time for bedtime. Close your eyes and rest now, my little one."
Barnaby wiggled his nose. "But I want to play more! The butterflies are still flying!"
Mama Bear smiled. "The butterflies will still be here in the morning, Barnaby. Now, a little bit of quiet time is best for growing big and strong."
Barnaby whined a little. He wanted to keep chasing butterflies. He loved running.
Mama Bear gently led him to his cozy den.
She placed a soft blanket over him and whispered a lullaby. The quiet sounds of the forest wrapped around him like a warm hug.
Barnaby tried to focus on the gentle sound of the wind rustling the leaves. He imagined the butterflies fluttering around the sleeping flowers.
Slowly, his body felt heavy, his eyelids grew heavy, and sleepy thoughts filled his mind. He closed his eyes, and imagined his favourite spots in the forest.
He imagined the gentle scent of pine needles and the soft, mossy ground under his paws.
A sense of peace settled over him. He was tired from all his playing. He closed his eyes tighter, a little smile on his face, listening to the soft sounds of the night.
He had been told it was important to rest. He followed his mother's advice, and felt the benefits of a peaceful bedtime routine.
Barnaby drifted off to sleep, knowing the butterflies would still be waiting for him in the morning. And that was all that mattered.
He fell asleep, content and happy. He knew his playtime would be even better the next day now that he had a good night's sleep.