Good evening.
Tonight we are going to join a baby dragon Ember as she heads home for the night.
So get yourself comfortable,
Snuggle down in your bed and relax.
High above the golden hills and sparkling rivers,
Little Ember the dragon twirled and swooped through the sky.
Her scales shimmered in the sunlight,
Glowing like tiny sparks of fire.
And the wind whooshed heavily around her wings.
Ember had spent the whole afternoon playing with the clouds,
Chasing butterflies and racing with the birds.
She giggled as she dipped and soared,
Feeling the warmth of the sun on her back.
But as the sky turned soft shades of pink and lavender,
Ember's mother called from the cave below.
Ember,
It's time to come home little one.
Ember flapped her wings and hovered a little higher.
Home can wait just a little longer,
She thought.
She wanted to chase one last butterfly,
Skim one last cloud and maybe race the wind just a little more.
At that moment,
A familiar voice called from a tree branch below.
Ember,
Are you staying out late?
It was Pip,
The wise little owl who often watched over the forest.
Ember landed lightly on a branch nearby.
I don't want to go home yet,
She admitted.
There's still so much sky to play in.
Pip blinked his round eyes and smiled.
The sky will be here tomorrow,
Ember,
But right now your body and your wings need some rest.
Adventures are even more fun when they're full of energy.
Ember thought about it.
She did feel a little tired and her wings certainly had little less energy now that it was getting late.
Pip nodded wisely.
Come on,
He said.
I'll fly with you part way and we can watch the sunset together.
Then you can curl up safely at home and dream of new adventures.
Ember flapped her wings and followed Pip,
Gliding down through the forest.
She took a slow,
Deep breath as the cool evening air brushed over her scales.
They followed the path of a river through the undergrowth,
Watching it sparkle in the sun's fading light.
Ember felt the joy of the day settle gently in her heart.
When she reached her cozy cave,
Her mum was waiting for her.
She curled up next to her mum on the soft bed of moss and smooth stones.
The walls of her cave glowed warmly from her little tiny fire and she yawned,
Letting out a tiny puff of smoke.
She felt calm,
Safe and peaceful.
Before closing her eyes,
Ember took one last deep breath and imagined sending kindness to everyone she loved.
She thought,
May my family be happy.
May my friends be safe.
May all creatures rest peacefully tonight.
Slowly,
Ember's body sank deeper into the soft moss,
Her tail curling around her,
Her wings folding gently.
With a final sigh,
She drifted into a quiet,
Restful sleep,
Dreaming of clouds,
Sunlight and gentle winds.
Now,
Let's take a little time to get cozy,
Just like Ember.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in and let it out.
Imagine a tiny,
Warm spark of kindness glowing in your chest,
Just like Ember's little fire.
With every breath,
It spreads a gentle glow through your whole body.
Once you have filled up your body,
You can imagine sending some to your family,
Maybe mum or dad,
Brother or sister,
Or even your grandma or grandpa.
And then you can imagine sending it to your friends,
To everyone you know.
And eventually,
It grows so big that you can send it to the whole world.
Take one more big,
Slow breath and let it drift out as you feel cozy,
Calm and ready for rest.
Good night,
My friend.
