Starlight was a beautiful racehorse. Her coat shone like polished ebony, and her mane flowed like a dark river. She loved to run! Faster than the wind, she’d gallop across the fields, her hooves barely touching the ground.
But Starlight had a problem. She loved running so much that she often forgot to rest. She’d race around the paddock long after the sun had set, even when the other horses were snug in their stables.
One evening, Farmer Giles noticed Starlight was very tired. Her usually bright eyes were droopy, and she stumbled a little as she ran. He gently guided her to her stable.
“Starlight,” he said kindly, “Even the fastest racehorse needs sleep. Rest is important. It helps your body and mind get strong and ready for the next day’s races.”
Starlight listened carefully. She knew Farmer Giles was right. She had been so busy racing that she had forgotten to listen to her body.
That night, Starlight went to bed early. She snuggled into her soft hay, closed her eyes, and dreamt of galloping across fields bathed in sunshine. She dreamt of the gentle breeze in her mane and the happy sounds of the farm.
When she woke up, Starlight felt fantastic! Her legs felt strong, and her energy was boundless. She felt much better than she had before.
From that day on, Starlight remembered the importance of rest. She made sure to get plenty of sleep every night. She still loved to run, but now she knew that taking care of herself meant having a good night’s sleep and enough rest to be happy and strong.
And she always remembered to be kind to others, sharing her hay with her friends and helping the younger horses learn how to sleep well. Even racehorses need good bedtime habits!
So, remember little ones, even if you love playing as much as Starlight loves racing, it’s very important to go to bed on time and get enough sleep. Sweet dreams!