Leo the lion cub *loved* bedtime. He loved his warm bed, his fluffy blanket, and especially his pajamas! But tonight, something was different. Mama Lion had sewn new pajamas for Leo, and they weren’t his usual bright yellow with roaring lions all over them. These were…blue. And covered in little stars.
Leo wrinkled his nose. “Blue?” he asked, looking up at Mama Lion. “But I *always* wear yellow! Yellow is for brave lions!” Mama Lion chuckled, smoothing Leo’s mane. “These pajamas are just as brave, little one. They’re made with love, and they’ll keep you cozy and warm. Sometimes, trying something new can be a wonderful adventure.”
Leo wasn’t so sure. He tried to wiggle into the blue pajamas, but they felt strange. He looked in the mirror. He didn’t look like a brave, roaring lion. He looked…different. He slumped onto his bed, feeling a little sad. His little sister, Luna, bounced in, wearing her own sparkly pink pajamas.
“What’s wrong, Leo?” Luna asked, tilting her head. Leo explained about the blue pajamas and how they didn’t feel like *him*. Luna giggled. “Silly Leo! Pajamas are just for being comfy! They don’t change who you are. You’re still the bravest, roar-iest lion I know, even in blue!”
Leo thought about what Luna said. She was right! Pajamas didn’t make him brave, *he* was brave. He took a deep breath and started to feel a little better. He imagined the stars on his pajamas twinkling like the night sky, and he pretended he was a brave explorer, charting a course through the cosmos.
Mama Lion came in and tucked them both into bed. She read a story about a little bear who learned to love wearing a hat, even though he’d always gone without one. Leo snuggled into his blanket, feeling the soft fabric of his blue pajamas against his skin. They *were* cozy.
He realized Luna was right. The pajamas didn’t change him. They just felt…different. And different wasn’t bad. Different could be good! He yawned, feeling sleepy and content. He closed his eyes, imagining himself soaring among the stars in his new blue pajamas.
“Goodnight, my little star,” Mama Lion whispered, kissing his forehead. “Sweet dreams.” Leo smiled. He was a brave lion, a loving brother, and a cozy cub, all wrapped up in a pair of blue, star-covered pajamas. And that was perfectly wonderful.