If you sat on a star,
What could you see?
The whole world,
Actually.
You could see the green of the grass and the blue of the ocean.
You could see clouds looking like they're whipping up magical potions.
You could see the moon rise and the sun when it sets.
But the best bit of all is to be told to you yet.
Just hold out your hand and wrap it around.
The world is there,
Safe and sound.
Use your hand like a telescope.
What can you see?
The whole world is there,
Full of possibility.
So let's fly to the Earth where I'll show you,
My friends.
Where their love for each other never,
Ever ends.
You're welcome in Little World.
Come take a seat.
Where kindness and laughter and adventure all meet.
Every story we share holds the truth,
Soft and bright.
That everything special is already inside.
Now meet the gang,
The best there could be.
There's Hazel the squirrel,
Who's wild and free.
A gentle night owl is Moon,
Calm and wise.
And Pea the fairy,
With shimmering eyes.
There's Mabel the dog,
Loyal and strong.
And Bob the sweet hedgehog,
Who always hums along.
His wife and their boblets complete their warm nest.
They think Auntie Hazel is the absolute best.
My name is Charlotte,
Your voice in the trees.
So come join the fun whenever you please.
Welcome to Little World.
Let's begin our tale with wonder,
With heart,
And a warm fairy trail.
Today in Little World,
Mabel's scared of the thunderstorm.
The sky had been strange all day.
Big,
Heavy clouds like giant grey blankets rolled slowly across the sky.
The air felt a bit sticky and the birds had gone quiet.
Down below in Little World,
The friends had gathered for a calm evening stroll.
Hazel scampered beside Pea,
Who twirled lazily in the air above her.
Bob waddled happily along the path,
Sniffing at flowers.
And Moon flew silently just above them,
His wings wide and slow.
But where was Mabel?
Hazel was the first to notice.
She was right behind us,
She said,
Twitching her tail.
Pea flew up to the nearest extra-large toadstool and peered around.
Oh,
There she is!
Look!
They all turned to see Mabel,
The sweet,
Scruffy dog,
Crouched low under a bush,
Her ears flat and her nose tucked under her paws.
Moon landed gently beside her.
Mabel?
Mabel gave a little whimper.
It's the thunder,
She said,
Her voice trembling.
It's coming.
I don't like it,
It's too loud.
The first low rumble echoed across the sky and Mabel shivered.
Oh,
Mabel,
Said Pea,
Fluttering down and landing on her back gently.
You're not alone,
We're here too.
Come on,
Let's go to mine and Hazel's tree.
It's the coziest place in the whole world.
Bob nodded.
Mrs.
Bob says,
A storm's just the sky with hiccups.
Hazel grinned.
And you know what?
I love hiccups.
And at my house,
We've got blankets and dandelion tea waiting.
Let's make this the most fun storm night ever.
With a bit of gentle coaxing and kind encouragement,
The friends led Mabel to Hazel and Pea's tree.
The moment they stepped inside,
A feeling of warmth and comfort wrapped around them.
Hazel laid out patchwork blankets and soft cushions and the kettle was bubbling away.
Bob passed around mugs of dandelion tea and Pea lit some tiny glowing lanterns that floated around like fireflies.
They all gathered in a circle.
The storm rolled and rumbled outside.
The rain tap-tapping on the leaves.
But inside Hazel's tree,
It felt safe,
Cozy and almost magical.
A thunderstorm is actually one of my favorite things.
I think they sound so relaxing.
I could fall asleep listening to it,
Said Moon.
Me too,
Moon Eyes.
I love getting all cozy and snuggly-buggly-wuggly-woo-woo.
And then Mabel noticed something strange.
While the storm rumbled outside and the rain tapped against the windows,
The older friends in the group,
Pea,
Moon,
Hazel and Bob,
Weren't scared at all.
In fact,
They seemed to be enjoying it.
Mabel tilted her head and said quietly,
Aren't you worried about the thunder?
Pea turned to her and gently smiled.
No,
Mabel,
I used to be.
But then I learned something.
She leaned in.
Her wings folded softly in her lap.
If we take away the fear you're feeling just for a moment,
What's left?
Mabel thought about it.
Um,
Just a thunderstorm.
Exactly,
Pea said kindly.
And if we look at that storm without fear,
What is it really doing?
Well,
Mabel said slowly,
It's thundering.
And what is thunder?
Asked Pea.
A noise?
Mabel replied.
Pea nodded.
Yes,
Just a sound.
Sometimes loud,
Sometimes low,
But still just a sound.
Does thunder hurt you?
No,
Mabel replied.
It just makes me jump.
Me too sometimes,
Said Pea.
But even if it surprises us,
It can't hurt us.
It's just part of the sky having very noisy hiccups.
Mabel gave a small smile.
Then she asked,
What about the lightning?
Good question,
Said Pea.
Lightning is very bright and powerful,
So that's why we stay indoors during a storm.
Not because we're scared,
But because we're being sensible.
And if you're inside and warm and safe,
Pea paused,
Then you can enjoy it.
You can even watch the flashes from your window,
Like a light show in the clouds.
Bob suddenly called out,
Shall we open the curtains so we can see it?
Mabel's eyes widened,
But after a second she nodded.
Okay,
I'll give it a try.
Bob whipped the curtains open with a swoosh,
And the room filled with the gentle blue flickers.
Of distant lightning.
Everyone gathered by the window wrapped in blankets.
There were lots of oohs and gentle ahhs as the light danced across the sky.
Mabel sat close beside Pea,
Her ears twitching,
But her tail relaxed.
Then Mabel let out a big,
Deep sigh.
The kind of sigh that feels like letting something go.
Hazel,
Who'd been watching,
Quietly whispered,
There it goes.
You let your fear fly out with the thunder,
Didn't you?
Mabel smiled,
Turned and gave Hazel a big,
Warm hug.
Yeah,
She said,
I think I did.
A few moments later,
Hazel leapt up onto the cushion and declared,
Time for a story.
Want to hear about the time I accidentally wore a snail as a hat?
The room burst into giggles.
Oh yes,
Said Bob,
That's a good one.
Hazel puffed up proudly,
Well,
I was very busy collecting acorns one morning and I found a perfect shiny shell.
I thought,
Ooh,
That would look fabulous on my head.
So I plonked it on,
Strutted all the way to the clearing and didn't notice until everyone was staring at me in horror.
Because the shell was moving.
Mabel's ears perked up.
No.
Oh yes,
Said Hazel.
The snail's eyes met mine.
And he was as surprised as I was.
Poor thing,
Thought it was being kidnapped.
Everyone roared with laughter,
Even Moonsoft Hoop turned into a chuckle.
Mabel wiped her nose and grinned for the first time that evening.
Pia leaned over and whispered,
See,
Thunder or not,
You're safe here.
And just then,
A mighty crack of thunder boomed overhead.
The lights flickered.
Mabel's ears twitched.
But she didn't hide.
In fact,
She just carried on chatting and laughing.
Instead,
She turned towards Moon.
Could you tell us one of your poems,
Moon,
Please?
Moon gave a slow blink as if he'd been waiting for the moment.
He spread his wings just a little and began in his calm,
Deep voice.
Ahem.
The sky may rumble,
Grumble and shout,
And send little raindrops dancing about.
But thunder is only the clouds having fun,
Telling tall tales to the moon and the sun.
The flashes of light are giggles,
You see,
As lightning tickles the tip of a tree.
And under the blankets all warm and dry,
We watch the sky show with a sparkle in eye.
So worry not,
Dear friend so brave,
The storm will pass,
The trees will wave.
And when it does,
We'll all still be,
Together,
Safe,
As friends can be.
Mabel smiled and curled up beside Bob.
Pea yawned and floated down into a tiny teacup bed.
Hazel tucked everyone in with corners of her soft patchwork quilt.
And Moon settled down above them on a branch-keeping watch.
Outside the storm sang its final lullaby.
Inside,
The laughter had settled into soft snores and happy sighs.
And Little World slept soundly,
Wrapped in kindness,
Stories and the comfort of togetherness.
And so,
My dear listener,
Remember this.
Sometimes the things that seem the scariest can become the funnest.
With just a little laughter and love.
When the thunder rolls and the winds howl,
All you need is a warm place,
Kind hearts and friends who remind you that you are never,
Ever alone.
And when you think about it all without fear,
It's not really that scary after all.
In Little World,
And in your world too,
You are safe,
You are loved,
And there is always a blanket waiting and a story to share.
Bye-bye.
