As the sun painted the sky in soft, sleepy colours of orange and pink, Barnaby Bear knew it was time to start getting ready for bed. He stretched his little arms up high and gave a big yawn. He loved his bedtime routine. It helped him feel warm and safe and ready for wonderful dreams.
First, Barnaby padded softly to the bathroom for his warm bath. The water felt like a gentle hug all around him. He splashed just a little bit with his yellow ducky, watching the bubbles float away like tiny clouds. The soap smelled like sweet honey, making his fur feel extra clean and soft.
After his bath, Barnaby wrapped himself in a big, fluffy towel that felt like a cloud. He dried his paws and his nose and his little ears. Then, he put on his softest, comfiest pajamas. They were blue with tiny white stars, and they felt so good against his clean fur.
Next, Barnaby went to the kitchen for a small cup of warm milk. He held the warm mug in his paws and took slow, quiet sips. The warm milk made his tummy feel happy and cozy, like he had a little warm stone inside.
With his milk finished, Barnaby went to his bedroom. His mum was sitting in the comfy armchair with a book. Barnaby climbed onto her lap, snuggling close. Mum read a quiet story about a little cloud floating across the sky. Barnaby listened to her gentle voice, and his eyelids felt a little bit heavy.
When the story was finished, Barnaby gave his mum a sleepy cuddle. Then he climbed into his little bed. The sheets were cool at first, but his cozy blanket felt so warm and soft. He pulled it up to his chin, tucking himself in tight.
Barnaby lay on his back and looked up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in, holding it for just a moment, then letting it out slowly, like a gentle sigh. He did this again. Breathing in peace, breathing out wiggles.
He wiggled his toes under the blanket, then kept them still. He squeezed his paws into little fists, then let them relax. He felt his whole body getting heavy and still, sinking just a little bit into the soft mattress.
Barnaby listened to the quiet sounds of the night outside his window – the soft rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl. Inside his room, everything was still and calm. He felt safe and loved, tucked away in his cozy bed.
His thoughts started to float away, like the little cloud in the story. His breathing became slower and slower. He was warm, he was safe, and he was very, very sleepy. Barnaby Bear drifted off to sleep, ready for sweet dreams until the morning sun came back to greet him.