Luna the firefly was a very wiggly firefly. She loved zooming and blinking and bouncing! But tonight, Luna couldn’t seem to settle down. She blinked extra fast, zoomed in circles around her dandelion bed, and wiggled her little legs. “I just can’t sleep!” she buzzed to Mama Firefly.
Mama Firefly smiled. “Sometimes, when our bodies are full of wiggles, we need to help them find calm. Let’s try a little bedtime meditation.” Luna tilted her head. “Med-i-what-tion?”
“It’s like a quiet hug for your mind,” Mama Firefly explained. “Close your eyes, Luna, if you’re comfortable. And let’s take a deep breath in… like you’re smelling a sweet flower.” Luna closed her eyes and sniffed deeply. She imagined the most delicious honeysuckle scent.
“Now, let’s breathe out slowly… like you’re gently blowing bubbles.” Luna puffed out her cheeks and slowly released the air. It felt… nice. “Good,” said Mama Firefly. “Let’s do that again. Breathe in… and breathe out…”
With each breath, Luna noticed something amazing. Her wiggles started to slow down. Her blinking wasn’t so fast. She imagined her light becoming a soft, gentle glow. Mama Firefly continued, “Now, think about your favorite peaceful place. Maybe it’s a quiet meadow, or a cozy cave, or a field of glowing mushrooms.”
Luna pictured a field of glowing mushrooms, each one twinkling softly. She imagined lying among them, feeling the cool, soft moss beneath her. She could almost hear the gentle chirping of crickets. She focused on the feeling of peace in her mushroom field.
“Now, wiggle your toes… just a little. And then let them relax. Wiggle your wings… and then let them rest. Let your whole body become soft and heavy, like a sleepy cloud.” Luna followed her mama’s instructions. Her body felt warm and cozy.
“You are safe. You are calm. You are loved.” Mama Firefly whispered. Luna took one last deep breath in, and a long, slow breath out. Her light dimmed to a peaceful, steady glow. She felt sleepy and calm, and all her wiggles had disappeared.
“I… I think it worked!” Luna whispered, her voice drowsy. “The meditation helped me find my calm.” Mama Firefly nuzzled Luna. “It always does, little one. Now close your eyes and drift off to sleep. Sweet dreams.” Luna closed her eyes and, for the first time that night, drifted off to a peaceful, wiggless sleep.