Olivia the ostrich was the fastest ostrich in the whole wide savanna! She zoomed when she ate, she zoomed when she played, and she *especially* zoomed when it was almost bedtime. “Faster, faster!” she’d chirp, dashing around her cozy nest.
Mama Ostrich would gently say, “Olivia, dear, bedtime is for slowing down. We need to get ready for sweet dreams.” But Olivia would just giggle and zoom past, grabbing a berry here, a leaf there, and trying to do everything all at once.
One evening, Mama Ostrich had a clever idea. She set up a bedtime routine with three special steps. “First,” she said, “we have a warm dust bath.” Olivia usually zoomed through her dust bath, kicking up dust everywhere! But Mama Ostrich reminded her, “Slowly, Olivia. Feel the warm dust on your feathers.”
Olivia tried it. She wiggled slowly in the dust, and it *did* feel nice and cozy. “That’s better!” chirped Mama Ostrich. “Next, we have a quiet snack of yummy leaves.” Usually, Olivia would gobble her leaves in two bites. This time, Mama Ostrich said, “Chew slowly, Olivia. Taste each leaf.”
Olivia carefully chewed each leaf. She noticed they were sweet and crunchy! She’d never really tasted them before because she was always rushing. “Wow!” she said. “These are delicious!”
“Finally,” said Mama Ostrich, “we snuggle and listen to the quiet savanna sounds.” Olivia usually tried to tell a hundred stories at once. But Mama Ostrich held her close and whispered, “Just listen, Olivia. Hear the crickets and the gentle breeze.”
Olivia closed her eyes and listened. She heard the soft chirps and rustling leaves. It was so peaceful. She felt her eyelids getting heavy. She realized zooming wasn’t the best way to end the day.
“Mama,” Olivia whispered, “I think… I think I’m sleepy.” Mama Ostrich smiled. “That’s because you slowed down, my sweet ostrich. Now, close your eyes and dream happy dreams.” Olivia snuggled close and drifted off to sleep, finally understanding that even the fastest ostrich needs a calm bedtime.