Princess Anya loved bedtime. Not just any bedtime, but a very special, peaceful bedtime, where soft whispers of the night breeze replaced the hustle and bustle of the day. Tonight, however, was different.
A tiny, shimmering pea had nestled itself under Anya's carefully arranged softest blankets. It wasn't a regular pea, though. It was a 'Princess Pea,' gifted to Anya by a friendly forest fairy, known for its special ability to grant sweet dreams and encourage peace.
At first, Anya felt a slight tickle beneath her. 'Oh dear,' she thought. 'This Princess Pea isn't so peaceful!' She tried to move it gently, but the pea seemed determined to stay. It felt a little like a tiny pebble.
Anya sighed. She thought of the other princesses she knew, who had servants to arrange perfect beds and help them fall asleep, and felt a pang of sadness. Were princesses not allowed to feel a little tickle?
Slowly, patiently, Anya focused on her breath. She took slow, deep breaths, counting them like the stars in the night sky. She noticed the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through her window, and the gentle chirping of crickets outside her window. With each breath, the tickle of the pea seemed less bothersome.
A wave of warmth spread through Anya. She imagined the forest fairy watching her, smiling at her efforts. Maybe, she realized, the Princess Pea wanted her to be patient, and not let little things bother her. That’s what responsible princesses did.
Anya closed her eyes and thought of all the good things in her day. The kindness of her friends, the delicious meal she had eaten, and the beautiful flowers in the garden. With each thought, the tickling sensation faded.
The pea, now feeling lighter than a feather, seemed to melt into the blankets. Anya felt her eyelids grow heavy. The feeling of the pea, once a disturbance, now lulled her into a peaceful sleep. It was the best night’s sleep she’d ever had, filled with soft dreams of kindness and peace.
As Anya drifted off to sleep, she realized that the Princess Pea wasn't about getting rid of the tickle. It was about finding calmness within herself. It was a lesson about handling the little things in life with patience, just like being responsible for her own peaceful night’s sleep.
From that night on, Anya knew that patience and kindness were valuable gifts, much like the special Princess Pea, and that peaceful bedtimes were treasures to be cherished.