Luma And Old Owl

A gentle bedtime story for children about a little firefly named Luma, whose busy mind keeps her light blinking at night. With the help of Old Owl, children learn calming breathing, a relaxing body scan, a simple way to let worries float away, kind self-talk, and a gratitude practice. A soothing, psychology-informed story to help children ease anxiety, unwind, and drift off to sleep. Suitable for ages 4 to 9.
Keywords: bedtime story, kids sleep, children's meditation, calm kids, worry release, relaxation for kids, gratitude, self-compassion, bedtime anxiety, sleep story
Music by Piotr Witowski from Pixabay

Transcript

Hello and welcome. I'm Ashley. Thank you so much for setting time aside to focus on yourself today. Before we begin, Please make sure you are settled in a safe, Comfortable space where you can fully relax and let go. Because this recording is designed to guide you into a state of deep relaxation, Please do not listen while driving, Operating machinery, Or doing anything that requires your full attention. Now take a deep breath in and let's begin. Hello sleepy one, It's time for a story. Get cozy in your bed. Snuggle your blankets up to your chin. You can close your eyes or let them rest on one soft spot. Either way is perfect. This is a story about a little firefly named Luma. Luma lived in a tall green meadow. Where the grass swayed and the crickets sang. Luma had a tiny glowing light in her tummy. And it was her favorite thing about herself. But there was one problem. At bedtime. Luma's light would not turn off. She lay in her leaf bed. And her little light kept blinking. Blink blink blink blink blink blink. Her mind was busy. And it was full of thoughts. Did I say the right things to my friends today? What if it rains tomorrow? What if I can't fall asleep? Have you ever had a busy mind at bedtime? That's okay. Lots of children do. Lots of grown-ups do too. It means your brain is awake and working hard. And it just needs a little help learning how to rest. That night, A soft voice called from the branches above. Little luma said old howell i see your light is still blinking Would you like to learn a few sleepy secrets? Yes, Please, " said Luma. Wonderful, Said Old Owl. The first secret is your breath. Put one hand on your tummy, Said Old Owl. Pretend there's a little balloon inside. You can try this too. Put your hand on your tummy now. Breathe in slowly through your nose and build a balloon. Your tummy gets big and round. Now breathe out slowly like you're blowing on a hot spoonful of soup. The bloom gets smaller. Again, Breathe in and out. And the balloon grows. Breathe out nice and slow. And the balloon floats down. One more time, Breathe in, Big and round. And out nice and slow. Oh, Said Luma, My light is blinking a little slower. That's right, " said Old Owl. When you breathe out slowly, Your body gets a message you are safe and it's okay to rest. The second secret, Said old Howell, Is in your body. Your body holds on tight when it's worried. Let's teach it to let go. Burst. Make your feet into tails. Tight little acorns. Squeeze your toes. Squeeze, Squeeze, Squeeze. You can try this too. Squeeze your toes real tight. Now let them melt. Like they're warm honey. Let them go. Slowly and let them soften. Next, We can move to your legs. Squeeze them tight like strong tree trunks. Now let them melt. Once again, Think of warm honey. Now we can move to your tummy. Squeeze it tight. Think of tiny little rocks. And now let it melt. Once again, Think of warm honey. Now we can move to your hands. Make them into two little fists. And let them soften. Fingers floppy and loose. Last, We can move to your face. Scrunch it up like you just tasted something icky. And let it relax. Smooth out your forehead. Open your mouth and relax your jaw. Let your eyes feel nice and heavy. Luma felt warm and heavy, Like she was sinking into a cloud. Her light blinked even slower. Blink. Blink But Old Owl, Loomis whispered, My thoughts are still bouncing around. Ah, Said Old Owl, Then it's time for the third secret. Follow me. They flew together slowly over the meadow to a quiet stream. The water was silver in the moonlight and it moved so gently that it hardly made a sound. Here's what we do with busy thoughts. Said old owl. You don't fight them. You don't have to push them away. We just noticed them. And let them float away. Old Owl gave Luma a green leaf. Think of one worry, Said Old Owl, Just one. I'm worried I won't fall asleep, Said Luma. Thank you for telling me, Said Old Owl. That's a very normal worry. Now whisper it to the leaf. Luma whispered to the leaf, Then set it on the water. The leaf floated away slowly, Slowly around the bed. You can do this too, But we have to play pretend. Think of a worry and whisper it to an imaginary leaf in your mind. Still playing pretend. We're going to set that leaf down on the water and watch it drift away. Do you have another? " said Old Owl. Luma found another one. She found the leaf and whispered. And then watched it float away. The worries are not gone forever, Said Old Owl. But they can wait until morning. Mornings are much better at solving things. Right now is only for resting. Luma smiled. Her light was glowing gently now, Like a tiny nightlight. They sat together side by side by the stream. The fourth secret, Said Old Owl, Is how we talk to ourselves. Sometimes our thoughts can be unkind. We say things like, I'm not good enough, But we can choose kind words instead, The way our best friend would. Put your hand on your heart, Said Old Owl. Now say these words with me. In your mind or in a whisper. I'm okay. I am loved. I did my best today. It is safe to rest now. Luma felt something warm and bright in her chest. It felt like a little hug from the inside. One last secret, Said Old Owl very softly. Before we sleep, We remember three good things from our day. They can be big things. Or they can be tiny things. Luma thought, I saw a beautiful moon, She said. A cricket sang me a song and I made a new friend. Lovely, " said Old Owl. Now it's your turn. In your mind, Find three good things from your day. They can be big or small. Like eating your favorite snack. A funny joke? Or a cozy hug. One good thing. Two good things. 3 good things Hold them in your heart. Like three tiny glowing little lights. Old Owl carried Luma home through the night air. The meadow was quiet and the stars were out. Luma climbed back into her leaf bed. The leaves felt nice and soft and warm. Her breath was nice and slow. And out. Her body felt heavy, Nice and warm. Mind is quiet. The worries were floating away down the stream. "'Goodnight, Luma, ' said the old owl. " Goodnight, Luma whispered back. And her lights. Linked gently. Slowly. Softer and softer. And then it glowed gently, Steady and calm. Just like a nightlight does. Luma was fast asleep. Now it's your turn to rest. Your breath is slow. Your body is warm and heavy. Your mind is quiet. You are safe. You are loved. And you did your best today. Goodnight, Sleepy one. Sleep well.