Lily the lamb was a sweet, fluffy creature with eyes like melted chocolate. But tonight, Lily couldn't sleep. The moon shone brightly outside her window, casting long shadows on her walls, and every little creak of the house sounded like a monster.
Her mama lamb, with her warm, woolly fur, nuzzled close. "What's troubling you, my little one?" she whispered gently.
Lily sighed. "I'm scared of the dark," she mumbled. "And I don't think I'm brave enough to face it."
Mama Lamb smiled. "Bravery isn't about not being scared," she said, "it's about being kind to yourself and facing your fears anyway. Let's try something special. I'll tell you a story about a little star."
The story was about a tiny star named Twinkle who was afraid of falling from the night sky. She felt small and insignificant amongst the bigger, brighter stars. But with the help of a friendly shooting star, Twinkle learned that even the smallest star shines brightly and that everyone is special in their own way.
As Mama Lamb finished the story, Lily felt a little braver. She snuggled closer to her mother's warm fur, feeling safe and loved. "I think I can be brave too," she whispered.
Mama Lamb stroked Lily's soft fur. "You already are, my dear. It takes great kindness to yourself to face your fears. Remember Twinkle’s kindness to herself and her belief in her own light. You are brave, you are kind, and you are wonderfully special. Now close your eyes, and think of all the good things that happened today."
Lily thought of her friends, the sweet clover she ate, and the warm sun on her back. She pictured Twinkle shining brightly in the night sky. Slowly, her eyelids grew heavy, and a peaceful smile spread across her face.
With her mama's love surrounding her and the image of the brave little star in her heart, Lily drifted off to sleep, dreaming of sparkling stars and fields of sweet clover. She knew that even in the dark, she was safe and loved, and that her own inner light shone bright, just like Twinkle’s.