Ferdinand was a little bull, but he wasn't like the other bulls. While they loved to practice butting heads and showing how strong they were, Ferdinand loved flowers! He especially loved to smell the bright red poppies in the meadow.
Every day, the farmer would watch the young bulls get ready for the big bullfight in town. He wanted to pick the strongest, fiercest bull to show everyone. But when he looked at Ferdinand, Ferdinand was usually sniffing a daisy or watching a bumblebee.
"Ferdinand!" the farmer would call. "Why aren't you practicing? You need to be strong and brave!" But Ferdinand would just smile and offer the farmer a pretty flower. The farmer sighed. He didn't understand Ferdinand at all.
One day, the farmer chose all the other bulls to go to the bullfight. He almost didn't choose Ferdinand, but he thought, 'Well, maybe he'll try to be brave.' So, Ferdinand went along, but he wasn't excited. He was a little sad to leave his flowers.
At the bullfight, all the other bulls stomped and snorted and tried to look scary. But when Ferdinand got into the ring, he didn't want to fight! He saw a little girl in the audience with a beautiful flower in her hair.
Ferdinand walked right over to her and gently sniffed the flower. The little girl giggled! Everyone in the audience started to laugh too. They realized Ferdinand didn't want to fight; he just wanted to be friends.
The farmer smiled. He finally understood. Ferdinand wasn't meant to be a fighting bull. He was meant to be a friendly bull who loved flowers and made people happy.
So, Ferdinand went back to the meadow, and he spent his days smelling poppies, making friends with the bees, and being himself. And every night, as the sun went down, Ferdinand would snuggle in the soft grass and dream sweet dreams of flowers and friendship. Now it's time for *you* to snuggle in and dream sweet dreams too. Goodnight!
Remember, it's okay to be different, and it's always kind to choose peace and friendship. Just like Ferdinand.