Once upon a time.
In a peaceful meadow surrounded by tall,
Whispering trees.
A young unicorn was getting ready for bed.
Little Unicorn had said goodnight to the whole herd.
She gave Grandma Unicorn a big warm nuzzle.
Goodnight,
Grandma.
She gave Grandpa Unicorn a little sleepy whinny.
Good night,
Grandpa.
And before she left,
She gave Auntie Unicorn a gentle hoof bump.
Good night,
Auntie.
Then Little Unicorn made her way through the quiet forest to her favorite place to sleep.
A little glade surrounded by trees.
There,
Beneath the branches of the giant watchful tree,
Was a soft bed of ferns waiting just for her.
Little unicorn curled up in the soft green fern.
Mama Unicorn gently snuggled in beside her,
And Daddy Unicorn stood nearby watching over them beneath the evening sky.
The forest was becoming very quiet.
The fireflies were beginning to twinkle between the trees,
And the moon was shining softly through the branches.
Little Unicorn pulled her favorite stuffy clothes and closed her eyes.
But after a little while,
She opened them again.
Mama,
She whispered.
I can't sleep.
My brain isn't ready to sleep yet.
Mama Unicorn gave her a gentle nuzzle.
That's okay,
Little one.
She whispered.
Sometimes our brains need a little help getting ready for sleep.
I know a special little exercise you can try.
It will help your body relax and give your busy brain something soft and peaceful to do.
Little Unicorn listened carefully.
First,
Mama Unicorn said.
We are going to take some slow gentle breaths.
Think about your favorite food.
Maybe it's warm chocolate chip cookies.
Fresh strawberries pancakes with maple syrup or something else that makes you happy.
Now pretend you can smell it.
Breathe that delicious smell in slowly and deeply.
All the way down into your belly.
Little Unicorn took a slow breath in.
And now,
Mama said,
Pretend you're blowing bubbles.
These are very special bubbles that you have to blow very softly.
Little unicorn slowly breathed out.
Imagining a big shiny bubble floating away into the night.
Let's do that again,
Mamo whispered.
Smell your favorite food.
Slowly breathe in.
And gently blow your bubble out.
I am.
And softly out.
See if you can keep breathing just like that.
Slowly breathing in.
And softly breathing out.
Little Unicorn's body began to feel warm and heavy.
Her eyes were starting to feel a little sleepy.
Mama Unicorn smiled.
You're doing very well,
Little one.
Now we're going to try one more sleepy trick.
This time,
We're going to count our breaths.
Take a breath in.
And then slowly breathe out.
That will be fun.
Then breathe in again.
And out.
That will be two.
We'll keep going until we get all the way to 10.
And if you forget what number you're on,
That's perfectly okay.
Just start back at 1.
You don't have to get it right.
We're just letting your brain rest while we count.
Mama Unicorn snuggled a little closer.
Are you ready,
My little sleepyhead?
Let's count together.
1.
Breathe in.
And breathe out.
Two.
Breathe in.
And breathe out.
3.
4.
Bye.
Sick.
7.
9.
10.
And now,
You can simply rest.
You don't have to count anymore You don't have to think about anything.
You can just snuggle down into your soft cozy bed and let your body become heavier and heavier.
Mama Unicorn noticed that little unicorn's eyes were now closed.
Her breathing was slow and steady.
Mama gently tucked little unicorn's favorite stuffy underneath her chin.
And pulled the soft leafy blanket up over her shoulders.
The fireflies continued to twinkle quietly among the trees.
Mama gave little unicorn one last gentle nuzzle.
Good night,
My little unicorn,
She whispered.
Then Mama quietly went to stand beside Daddy Unicorn beneath the stars.
Together,
They watched over little Unicorn as she slept peacefully beneath the moon and stars.
The giant watchful tree stood above them,
Its branches stretching toward the sky.
Its leaves made a soft,
Gentle rustling sound in the night.
The forest was peaceful.
The moon was glowing.
The fireflies were sparkling.
And Little Unicorn was safe and warm and cozy in her bed of soft ferns.
And as you drift off to sleep,
My little friend.
You can remember that you are safe and cozy in your bed too.
You can take slow,
Sleepy breaths.
In,
And softly out.
Let your body become heavy and relaxed.
And let your busy brain grow quiet.
And maybe,
Just maybe.
.
.
Tonight when you close your eyes and drift into your dreams.
You'll meet little unicorn in the peaceful forest beneath the giant watchful tree.
Good night.
Sleep peacefully.
