Good evening,
It's Gina here.
Tonight,
We're joining Lily and her gentle unicorn friend Starwin on a peaceful evening journey,
One where kindness,
Teamwork and calm help to light the way.
So snuggle in,
Get comfy and let's begin.
The sky outside Lily's window was turning soft shades of peach and lavender as the day slowly drifted towards night.
Lily leaned on her windowsill,
Feeling the gentle evening breeze on her face.
Just then,
A familiar shimmer moved at the edge of the garden.
Starwin stepped forward,
Her hooves silent on the grass,
Her mane glowing softly in the dusk.
Hello Lily,
Starwin said gently.
There's a place in the forest that needs a little help tonight.
Would you like to come with me?
Lily smiled and nodded.
Yes,
Please.
Starwin lowered her head and Lily climbed onto her back.
With a smooth,
Steady trot,
They headed into the forest as the first stars began to appear.
They soon arrived at a wide,
Circular clearing surrounded by tall trees.
Here we are at the lantern grove,
Said Starwin,
A special place where tiny lanterns usually hung from branches,
Glowing softly to guide the forest animals.
But tonight,
Something was different.
The grove was dim,
The air had lost its magical buzz.
Lily and Starwin looked around.
It's usually brighter here,
Starwin whispered.
Something is missing.
That's when they noticed a small creature near the grass at the edge of the clearing.
A little hedgehog sat beneath a tree,
His tiny paws wrapped around himself.
On his back was a small basket,
But it was empty.
Oh,
Lily said softly,
Kneeling down,
Hello.
The hedgehog looked up,
His eyes filled with worry.
I carry the lanterns out each evening,
He explained quietly,
But I tripped earlier and they scattered everywhere.
Without the lanterns,
The grove felt lonely for the animals who lived there.
I don't know what to do,
He sniffled.
Starwin stepped closer and lowered her head kindly.
Before we fix anything,
She said,
Let's take a moment to ground ourselves together.
Lily placed her hands gently on the grass and the hedgehog took a small breath.
The forest seemed to listen,
The air grew quieter.
Lily,
Starwin and the hedgehog took three deep breaths,
Feeling the ground below them like a soft mattress supporting them.
Perhaps you'd like to join them.
Breathing in for one,
Two and out for one,
Two,
Three.
Feel in your body,
Rest on the mattress.
Again,
In for one,
Two and out for one,
Two,
Three.
One last one,
In for one,
Two and out for one,
Two,
Three.
They felt the calm slowly filling their bodies and as the hedgehog opened his eyes,
Lily could see he felt a lot less worried already.
Now,
Starwin said softly,
We can help.
Starwin's horn glowed with a gentle light,
Not too bright,
Just enough to softly illuminate the ground.
Lily carefully searched the grass,
Finding tiny lanterns tucked between leaves and roots.
One by one,
She placed them back in the hedgehog's basket.
The hedgehog bravely carried each lantern to its place,
Hanging them carefully in the trees.
As each one was set,
A warm glow returned to the grove and the grove felt safe again.
When the last lantern was lit,
Starwin invited them to sit in a small circle beneath the trees.
Now they had managed this together,
They were friends,
They smiled,
Very grateful for the opportunity to help one another.
It was now time for them to do a visualization.
Imagine you are here in the grove with Lily,
Starwin and the hedgehog.
You're back in the soft grass,
The beautiful sounds of the night forest all around you.
You look up at all the golden glowing lanterns and take a few more grounding breaths.
Picture that warm golden light from the lanterns slowly spreading through your body.
It fills your toes,
Your feet,
Your legs,
All the way up to your tummy.
Slowly it fills your chest and your shoulders and it goes down each arm,
All the way to the tips of your fingers.
Finally,
It fills up your head,
Relaxing your face and making you feel calm and peaceful.
Everywhere the light goes,
Your body feels heavier,
Softer and more relaxed.
The lanterns glow steadily around you.
The hedgehog curled up beneath the trees,
Smiling sleepily.
Thank you,
He whispered.
Starwin bowed her head and Lily waved softly.
Soon,
Starwin carried Lily gently home beneath the quiet star-filled sky.
Lily slipped into her pyjamas,
Climbed into bed and closed her eyes.
The warm lantern glow stayed with her,
Filling her dreams with calm and light.
Good night,
My friend.
