Zola the zebra was a very stripy, very playful little zebra. She loved zooming around the savanna with her mama and papa all day long! But when the sun began to set, and the stars started to twinkle, Zola didn't feel playful anymore. She felt…scared.
“Mama,” Zola whispered, snuggling close. “The dark is so big! And I can’t *see* everything!” Mama Zebra smiled gently. “It’s okay to feel a little scared, Zola. The dark is just the savanna resting. Everything is still there, even if you can’t see it.”
Papa Zebra brought Zola a special bedtime leaf, a soft, green leaf from her favorite acacia tree. “This leaf smells like home, Zola,” he said. “Hold it tight, and remember all the fun we had today.” Zola squeezed the leaf and remembered splashing in the watering hole and racing her papa.
But still, Zola felt a little wobbly inside. She imagined shadows looking like funny shapes, and every rustle of leaves sounded like a sneaky sound. Mama Zebra started to hum a quiet tune, a song about sleepy stars and dreaming clouds.
“Close your eyes, Zola,” Mama Zebra said. “And think about all the wonderful stripes you have. Each stripe is special, and they keep you safe and cozy.” Zola closed her eyes and wiggled her stripes. They *did* feel cozy!
She took a deep breath, smelling the sweet acacia leaf. She listened to Papa Zebra’s gentle humming and felt Mama Zebra’s warm breath on her forehead. Slowly, slowly, the wobbly feeling started to disappear.
Zola realized the dark wasn’t so scary after all. It was just…quiet. And quiet was nice. It was a time for resting and dreaming. She snuggled closer to her mama and papa, holding her special leaf tight.
“I’m not so scared anymore,” Zola mumbled sleepily. “I like the quiet.” Mama and Papa Zebra smiled. They knew Zola was learning that even when things feel a little bit scary, she was brave and loved, and always safe with her family. And soon, Zola the zebra drifted off to sleep, dreaming of stripy adventures.