Olivia the ostrich was a very bouncy bird. She loved to run and leap and play all day long! But when the sun began to set, and Mama Ostrich said it was bedtime, Olivia found it *very* hard to slow down. She’d wiggle her toes, flap her wings, and peek at everything in her cozy nest.
“Olivia,” Mama Ostrich would say gently, “It’s time to rest your busy body and close your eyes.” But Olivia would just giggle and say, “But I’m not tired!” Then she’d try to count all the stars, but she’d get distracted and start counting fluffy clouds instead.
One evening, Old Man Tortoise, who lived nearby, heard Olivia’s wiggles. He slowly walked over to the ostrich nest. “Having a little trouble settling down, little one?” he asked kindly.
Olivia nodded. “I just can’t seem to stop moving!” Old Man Tortoise smiled. “Sometimes,” he said, “when your body feels bouncy, you need to do some quiet things. Let’s try breathing slowly, like blowing bubbles.”
Olivia puffed out her cheeks and blew a pretend bubble. She breathed in slowly, and then out slowly. Mama Ostrich joined in, and soon they were both breathing like gentle breezes. Old Man Tortoise showed Olivia how to squeeze her toes tight, then relax them. He showed her how to wiggle her wings slowly, then let them rest.
“Now,” said Old Man Tortoise, “Let’s listen to the quiet sounds. Can you hear the crickets chirping? Can you hear the wind whispering through the grass?” Olivia closed her eyes and listened. She heard the soft sounds of the night, and they made her feel peaceful.
Olivia took another deep breath, squeezed her toes, and wiggled her wings slowly. She felt much calmer now. She snuggled close to Mama Ostrich and yawned a big, sleepy yawn.
“Thank you, Old Man Tortoise,” she whispered. “I think… I think I *am* tired now.” Old Man Tortoise smiled. “Sweet dreams, Olivia,” he said. And as Olivia drifted off to sleep, she remembered to breathe slowly, listen quietly, and let her body rest. From that night on, Olivia knew just what to do when bedtime felt a little too bouncy.