Little Bear was visiting his Grandma Bear’s cabin in the woods. It was a very cozy cabin, with a warm fireplace and soft blankets. But Little Bear was a little bit…wiggly! He couldn’t seem to settle down. He wanted to *do* something!
Grandma Bear smiled. “Sometimes, Little Bear,” she said, “the best thing to do is…nothing at all. Just listen.” Little Bear tilted his head. Listen to what?
“Listen to the woods,” Grandma Bear whispered. “Close your eyes and hear all the quiet sounds.” Little Bear closed his eyes. At first, he heard his own little bear breaths. Then…he heard a gentle *whoosh* of wind through the trees.
“What’s that?” he asked, opening one eye. Grandma Bear pointed to the window. “The wind is saying goodnight to the leaves.” Little Bear closed his eyes again. He heard a tiny *tick-tock* sound. “What’s *that*?”
“That’s the grandfather clock,” Grandma Bear explained. “It’s keeping time, but it’s also a very peaceful sound.” Little Bear listened and listened. He heard a little *crackle* from the fireplace, and a soft *hoot* from an owl far away.
He realized the woods weren’t silent at all! They were full of quiet, gentle sounds. He snuggled closer to Grandma Bear, feeling warm and safe. He noticed how soft the blanket felt, and how good the warm milk tasted.
Grandma Bear began to hum a quiet tune. It wasn’t a loud, bouncy song, but a slow, sleepy one. Little Bear’s eyelids started to feel heavy. He yawned a big, bear-sized yawn.
He realized that being quiet and cozy wasn’t boring at all. It was…peaceful. He loved the feeling of being safe and warm in the cabin, listening to the sounds of the woods. He loved being with Grandma Bear.
Soon, Little Bear was fast asleep, dreaming of gentle winds, ticking clocks, and cozy cabins. He knew that even when he was wiggly, he could always find peace and quiet inside himself, just like he found it in the woods. And that made him feel very, very happy.
Grandma Bear smiled down at her sleeping cub. “Sweet dreams, Little Bear,” she whispered. “Sweet dreams.”