The sun had just dipped below the tallest trees, painting the sky in soft shades of purple and orange. In a cozy little cave, nestled deep in the quiet woods, Barnaby Bear felt a gentle yawn stretch across his face. It was bedtime, and the forest was settling down for the night.
Barnaby padded softly across the cave floor to his bed. It wasn't a bed made of springs and blankets, but a wonderful, soft pile of moss and dried leaves, gathered over many sunny afternoons. It smelled earthy and comforting, like sleepytime itself.
He climbed into his mossy bed and wriggled around, finding the perfect snug spot. The air in the cave was cool and fresh, and his bed felt warm and inviting. He pulled a large, soft fern leaf up like a blanket, tucking it under his chin.
With a happy sigh, Barnaby closed his eyes. He began to breathe slowly, in through his nose, and out through his mouth. He imagined his breath was like a soft wave, coming in gently and going out slowly. In... and out... In... and out.
He listened to the quiet sounds outside his cave. The distant hoot of an owl, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze, the gentle chirping of crickets settling down too. These sounds weren't noisy; they were like a quiet lullaby the forest sang just for him.
As he breathed slowly, Barnaby imagined fluffy white clouds floating lazily across a blue sky in his mind. Each cloud was soft and peaceful. He watched them drift by, slow and steady, carrying away any little wiggles or busy thoughts.
His paws felt heavy and warm on the soft moss. His nose felt cozy, tucked under the fern leaf. His whole body felt like it was sinking gently into his comforting bed, like a little boat settling onto the bottom of a calm, shallow pond.
He thought about all the nice things that happened today: finding a juicy berry, playing chase with a friendly squirrel, listening to the bubbly stream. Happy, quiet thoughts made a warm, soft blanket inside his head.
Barnaby kept breathing his gentle waves, in and out. The fluffy clouds drifted slower and slower. The forest lullaby grew softer and softer. His eyes felt heavy, his body felt completely relaxed, and his mind felt peaceful and calm.
Sleep was coming now, like a soft, dark curtain gently closing around him. He was safe, he was warm, and he was loved. Barnaby Bear was ready for sweet dreams in his cozy cave. Goodnight, Barnaby. Goodnight, little one.