My 3.5-year-old son, Leo, is terrified o
Ask
My 3.5-year-old son, Leo, is terrified of the dark shadows cast by tree branches outside his bedroom window at night.
He's having trouble winding down and needs a very calming, gentle bedtime story tonight about a friendly little red squirrel who learns what the dancing tree shadows outside his oak tree nest really are, and falls asleep feeling safe.
Please keep it gentle, age-appropriate for a 3-year-old, with a soothing slow wind-down ending.
Answer
Pip was a little red squirrel. He lived in a snug nest high in an oak tree.
Tonight the wind blew outside. The lantern glowed warm inside. The oak branches made shapes on the wall.
Sway, sway, sway.
The shadows wiggled and danced. Pip's tummy felt tight.
"Pip, look with me," said Mama.
She pointed gently. "That long shape is the branch where the little bird sits each morning. Wind blows, branch sways. Shadow sways too."
Sway, sway.
"That curly shape is the acorn branch. Wind wiggles, shadow wiggles too."
The wind grew quiet. The branches grew still. The shadows grew small.
Mama curled her tail around Pip. "Same tree, little one. Just dancing."
The lantern turned soft.
Pip took a big breath in… and a long breath out.
His eyes grew small.
Goodnight, Pip. The nest is warm. Mama is here.