Deep under Leo’s bed, in the quiet, shadowy space between the floor and the springs, lived a monster named Barnaby. Now, Barnaby wasn't like the monsters in some stories. He didn't have sharp claws, or big, booming roars. Barnaby was mostly fluffy, with large, gentle eyes the color of moss, and six little feet that padded softly on the floor.
Barnaby loved living under the bed. It was cozy and safe. He spent his days quietly watching the dust bunnies float by and listening to the sounds of Leo playing above. He knew exactly where the squeak in the bed frame was and when Leo was giggling especially hard.
His favorite job was collecting things. Not just any things, but the little treasures that accidentally rolled or bounced off the bed and disappeared into the shadows. Lost crayons, lonely building bricks, and especially single socks! Barnaby had a neat little pile of one-of-a-kind socks, striped and spotted and plain, all waiting hopefully for their partners.
Sometimes, Leo would talk about monsters before bedtime. He imagined them as big and loud and maybe a little bit scary. Barnaby would listen from below, a little bit sad. He wished Leo knew that the monster under his bed was small and quiet and wouldn't ever dream of being scary. Barnaby just wanted to be helpful and maybe, just maybe, a friend.
One evening, just as the room was getting dark and quiet for sleep, Leo was looking for his favorite little blue car. He looked everywhere on his rug and his desk, but it was nowhere to be found. Leo sighed a sad, sleepy sigh.
Barnaby heard the sigh from under the bed. He knew where the little blue car was! It had rolled under earlier in the day, right by the leg of the bed frame.
Quietly, Barnaby nudged the little blue car with his soft nose. He pushed it gently, inch by inch, towards the edge of the rug where Leo could see it. He had to be very careful not to make a sound or let Leo feel his fluff.
Leo gave one last look around his room. His eyes spotted something blue near the edge of his rug, glinting in the dim nightlight. "My car!" he whispered, reaching down to pick it up. He didn't see Barnaby hiding in the shadows below.
As Leo snuggled under his covers with his blue car, feeling much happier, Barnaby felt a warm flutter in his fluffy chest. He had helped! Even though Leo didn't know it, the quiet, non-scary monster under the bed had helped find the lost toy.
Barnaby curled up among the single socks, listening to Leo's soft breathing above. Being a quiet helper felt good. And maybe, just maybe, the idea of a monster under the bed didn't have to be scary at all, but could be a secret, kind friend watching over you while you sleep.