Terry the T-Rex wasn't like the other dinosaurs. While they roared and stomped, Terry preferred quiet evenings. But Terry had a big problem: he was scared of the dark! Every night, as the sun dipped below the prehistoric horizon, Terry's tiny heart would thump like a drum.
One evening, his friend, Pip the Pterodactyl, noticed Terry shivering in his cave. 'What's wrong, Terry?' Pip chirped, his wings fluttering gently.
Terry mumbled, 'I'm scared of the dark. All those shadows... they look like scary things!'
Pip, being a very kind and clever Pterodactyl, had an idea. 'Let's make bedtime a fun adventure!' he suggested. 'We'll create a nighttime routine.'
So, they started with a warm bath in a bubbling mud puddle. Terry splashed happily, forgetting his worries for a moment. Then, they brushed their teeth with twigs and leaves—Terry even tried Pip's trick of using a particularly soft fern for flossing!
Next, came story time! Pip read Terry a story about brave little dinosaurs who overcame their fears. It was about a tiny dino who was afraid of thunder, but eventually learned that thunder was just a big rumble.
After the story, they snuggled together in Terry's cave. Pip had brought some glowing fireflies in a jar. Their soft light made the cave feel cozy and safe.
Terry felt a warmth spread through him, a warmth that had nothing to do with the fireflies. He felt safe and happy, surrounded by friendship and a comforting routine.
As the fireflies twinkled gently, Terry yawned. 'This bedtime routine is amazing, Pip!' he whispered. 'I don't feel scared anymore!'
Pip smiled. 'That's because bedtime isn't scary; it's a special time for friends to relax and get ready for sweet dreams,' he said.
From that day on, Terry and Pip followed their bedtime routine every night. Terry learned that even big, strong T-Rexes can be a little scared, but with a good friend and a calming routine, even the dark doesn’t seem so spooky. And every night, Terry fell asleep with a happy heart, dreaming of more adventures with his best friend, Pip.