Gus the guinea pig loved to zoom around his cage! He'd race his little wooden car, chase after his favorite carrot, and squeak with glee. But when bedtime came, Gus wasn't always so enthusiastic.
His human, Lily, had a special bedtime routine for Gus. First, she'd give him a big bowl of fresh veggies – Gus's absolute favorite part! Then, she'd change his bedding, making sure it was soft and cozy for a good night's sleep. After that, she would give him a tiny bit of yummy hay for a snack before bed and a little cuddle.
But Gus often tried to wiggle free from Lily's hands during the routine. He’d squeak and squirm, hoping to continue his playtime a little longer. He found it much more fun to zoom around than settle down for sleep!
One night, Lily noticed Gus's tiredness. His eyes were droopy and he was moving much slower than usual. Lily gently picked him up and spoke in a soothing voice, 'Gus, sleepy time is important. If you get enough sleep, you’ll have even more energy to zoom tomorrow!'
Gus snuggled close to Lily, listening to her calming words. He realized that maybe, just maybe, she was right. He had been so busy playing that he hadn’t noticed how tired he really was.
That night, Gus cooperated with the bedtime routine. He even helped Lily by staying still while she changed his bedding. It was quite a satisfying experience! He munched on his delicious hay before drifting off to sleep.
He slept so soundly that night! The next morning, he woke up feeling refreshed and full of energy. He zoomed around his cage with even more enthusiasm than before, completing all his usual playtime activities.
From that day on, Gus understood the importance of a good night's sleep and following the bedtime routine. He learned that having a routine helped him feel safe and ready for a restful night. He still loved to play, but he also loved to have a cozy sleep that made him happy and excited to start the next day!
Lily was very proud of Gus for learning about the importance of following his bedtime routine. They both understood the value of having a great night's sleep! Now, both Gus and Lily looked forward to their lovely bedtime routine, full of cuddles, hay and happy dreams.