Leo the little lion cub was a very brave lion, most of the time. He loved playing with his friends in the sunny savanna, roaring playfully, and chasing butterflies. But when the sun set, and the stars began to twinkle, Leo’s bravery seemed to disappear.
Darkness made Leo feel a little bit scared. He missed the bright sunshine and the warm feeling of the day. His mommy lion always tucked him into his cozy cave, but even with his soft blanket, Leo would worry.
One night, Leo's mommy gave him a special gift: a little, shiny watch. 'This is your bedtime watch, Leo,' she said. 'It will help you feel safe and calm.'
The watch wasn't a regular watch; it glowed gently with a soft, warm light. It had a picture of a friendly little star on its face. Leo held it in his paw, feeling the smooth, cool surface.
As Leo looked at the glowing watch, he imagined the star was his own personal nightlight, watching over him while he slept. The gentle glow calmed him. He looked at the hands moving slowly, and counted each tick-tock. It was so peaceful!
He started to think of all the fun things he did that day, like the exciting game of tag with his friends, the delicious juicy berries he ate, and the funny sounds the monkeys made. Happy thoughts replaced the scary feelings.
Leo’s bedtime watch didn't make the darkness disappear, but it made it less frightening. It helped him remember all the good things, and feel safe and cozy in his cave. Soon, the gentle glow of his watch, and the happy memories, helped Leo drift off to sleep.
From that night on, Leo wasn't so scared of the dark anymore. He loved his bedtime watch and used it every night. It wasn't magic, but it helped Leo be brave and feel calm. He learned that even little lions can be brave, even when it's dark outside, as long as they have a little help and happy thoughts.
And so, Leo the little lion learned to conquer his fear of the dark, one tick-tock at a time. Goodnight, little one.