Barnaby was a blue monster. A fluffy, wobbly, very blue monster! But Barnaby worried he was a *bad* monster. All the other monsters practiced roaring and stomping, trying to look scary. Barnaby? He liked collecting shiny pebbles and humming little tunes. He worried he wasn’t monstery enough.
One night, Barnaby tried to roar. It came out as a squeak! He tried to stomp, but tripped over his own big feet. He felt very sad. Old Man Fitzwilliam, a very wise, purple monster with spectacles, saw Barnaby’s frown. “What’s wrong, little one?” he asked kindly.
“I’m not scary enough!” Barnaby wailed. “I can’t roar or stomp like the other monsters. I just want to… snuggle and find pretty rocks.” Old Man Fitzwilliam chuckled. “Being scary isn’t the only way to be a good monster, Barnaby. Every monster is special in their own way.”
“But what should *I* do?” Barnaby asked. Old Man Fitzwilliam smiled. “How about we start a bedtime routine? A cozy routine helps everyone feel calm and happy.” He showed Barnaby how to take a warm bubble bath (with blueberry-scented bubbles, of course!).
Then, they read a story about a little star who learned to shine brightly. After that, they brushed Barnaby’s fluffy blue teeth and put on soft pajamas. Finally, they snuggled under a big, comfy blanket.
Barnaby realized something wonderful. This felt *amazing*! He wasn’t roaring or stomping, but he felt peaceful and happy. He wasn’t trying to be someone else; he was just being Barnaby, the blue monster who loved shiny pebbles and cozy routines.
Old Man Fitzwilliam tucked Barnaby in. “See?” he said. “You are a wonderful monster, just as you are.” Barnaby yawned, feeling sleepy and content. He closed his eyes, dreaming of shiny pebbles and warm blueberry bubbles. He learned that being himself, and having a calming bedtime, was the best thing of all.
From that night on, Barnaby continued his bedtime routine. He still collected pebbles, and he still hummed his little tunes. And he knew, deep down, that being a kind, cozy, blue monster was perfectly monstery enough.