Leo the lion cub didn't *love* bedtime. It wasn't the dark, or being tucked in, but he always felt like something was missing. Tonight, Mama Lion explained, “Tonight, Leo, is a special quest! The Dream Sparkle has gone hiding, and without it, your dreams won’t be as bright.”
Leo’s eyes widened. A quest! “What do I need to do?” he asked eagerly. Mama Lion smiled. “First, you must tidy your toys. Every toy in its place helps the Dream Sparkle feel organized.” Leo, though a little grumpy about tidying, carefully put away his building blocks, his stuffed giraffe, and his little red car. He felt a tiny shimmer as the last toy was put away.
“Excellent!” said Mama Lion. “Next, the Dream Sparkle loves a clean face and brushed teeth. It shows you’re ready for peaceful adventures in dreamland.” Leo scrubbed his face with his washcloth and brushed his teeth until they sparkled. Another shimmer, a little brighter this time!
“Almost there,” Mama Lion whispered. “The Dream Sparkle also loves a quiet story. A story helps calm your mind and makes room for happy dreams.” Leo snuggled close as Mama Lion read a story about a friendly little cloud who travelled the world. The shimmer grew stronger with each page.
Finally, Mama Lion tucked Leo in. “One last thing, Leo. A deep breath in… and a slow breath out. This tells the Dream Sparkle you are safe and ready to rest.” Leo took a deep breath, feeling his tummy rise and fall. The room filled with a warm, golden glow!
“I found it!” Leo exclaimed. “I found the Dream Sparkle!” Mama Lion chuckled. “You didn’t *find* it, Leo. You *earned* it. Each little task, each step of your quest, brought the sparkle closer. The reward for completing your bedtime routine is the sweetest dream of all.”
Leo closed his eyes, feeling peaceful and happy. He knew now that bedtime wasn’t just about going to sleep; it was about a little quest, and the wonderful reward of bright, happy dreams. He drifted off to sleep, dreaming of friendly clouds and sparkling adventures, knowing that tomorrow night, another bedtime quest awaited.