Welcome to another new little bedtime story.
This story will be about a new concept,
A new adventure of Gracie Green,
Our bunny.
And before we start listening and settle in,
I would like to take a big deep breath with you,
A breath where we try to suck up all the air around us through our nose and then let it all go through our mouth with a big sigh of relief.
If this sounds like something you want to join me in,
Then take a comfortable position,
Either laying down or sitting up,
And whenever you're ready,
We're going to take in all the air through our nose and we're going to let it all go through our mouth with a big sigh of relief.
Now,
Whenever you've done that,
You may go lay down,
Maybe under a blanket,
Resting your head on a pillow and closing your eyes,
And you may become aware of some thoughts that you have,
Maybe memories of the day start popping back in your head,
Or maybe there's things that you still like to talk about or say,
And that's fine,
And I would like to invite you to just notice all of these things without acting on them.
So,
You might really have this super fun story that you haven't told yet about your day that comes up right now,
And what I would like you to play with is if you can see if you can keep this story to yourself just for a moment.
You may look at the story and in your mind,
You may let it flow away,
Drift away.
Don't worry,
It won't be forgotten,
This is just a story that we're not going to give any energy to right now,
And that doesn't mean it's not a good story or that doesn't mean that you'll never be able to share this memory,
It just means that right now,
We're going to take a moment to relax,
And whenever you're listening to the story I'm going to share with you,
Maybe some memories or thoughts might come back up,
And what I'd like you to do is to park them,
Let them drift away in your mind so you can fully focus on my words,
And then tomorrow when you wake up,
You get to be the first one to share all of these stories and all of these thoughts.
Right now,
We're just going to lay in silence,
And whenever you're ready,
I'm going to share my story with you.
It is called Unmet Bunny Love.
Mommy,
Gracie started to say,
As she walked off the stairs.
Something's bothering me,
But for some reason I feel like nobody cares.
Mother Bunny was shocked to hear these words enter her big bunny ears.
Why would you say something like that,
My dear?
She said,
As she held back some tears.
Mother Bunny really cares about her daughter,
And she is surprised to hear that Gracie does not feel safe enough to express the things that bug her.
I mean,
I don't actually think people do not care,
Gracie started to say.
It's just that I'm afraid to share.
Maybe that is a more accurate way.
Well,
Spill the beans,
My love,
Mother Rabbit said,
As Gracie slipped into bed.
I don't want to say it,
Mommy.
I'm scared it will make me look bad.
Mother Bunny paused,
As she couldn't force her daughter to say more,
And the silence gave Gracie time to think,
Until she finally felt safe enough to explore.
Explore a topic that was new to Gracie Green.
It was something that had happened in school that day,
Involving a bunny boy named Eugene.
I really like playing with a friend from class,
Gracie expressed.
But each time I ask him to play,
He'll find a reason to protest.
Are there no other bunny boys in your class to play with?
Mother asked.
Yes,
But I don't like them as much as Eugene.
There is such a big contrast.
Eugene is funny and kind.
He's smart,
He's curious,
He's courageous,
And he has a brilliant mind.
If I ever have a baby bunny that's a boy,
I want him to be like Eugene.
Oh,
And did I mention?
Eugene is the prettiest bunny I have ever seen.
Mommy started to smile,
As she noticed that her daughter started to blush.
It sounds to me,
My sweet love,
That you have got a crush.
A crush?
No way!
What does that even mean?
It means you like like someone very very much.
You'll think they're the most wonderful bunny you've ever seen.
Yes,
Maybe you're right,
Mommy.
Maybe it is love that I'm feeling.
That could be true,
My dear.
Do you want to continue the story?
It sounds very appealing.
Gracie continued to say that each time she asks Eugene to play,
He quickly turns away and does not want to stay.
Each time he does this,
Gracie says,
It hurts like my heart gets a little sting.
I hear you,
Gracie.
That must be very frustrating.
Yes,
I just want him to like me back,
Mommy,
Gracie said as she started to cry.
Oh,
Come here,
Baby,
And look me in the eye.
Gracie,
You are wonderful,
You are beautiful,
And you are so so kind.
Every bunny must feel lucky to play with you,
And anybody that cannot see that must be blind.
Gracie nodded and wiped her tears away.
So what can I do to make him realize this,
Gracie had to say.
Firstly,
Do not change who you are so other bunnies will like you.
And secondly,
I have a question that we can go through.
Have you ever told Eugene about everything that you're feeling?
Oh,
Definitely no,
Mommy.
That would be way too revealing.
Well,
What's the worst that could happen?
Sometimes getting what we want requires some action.
We can't just sit back and wish for someone to give us our desired reaction.
So,
You're saying I should tell Eugene how much I like him at school?
Yes,
Why not try it out?
I'm sure he'll think it's brave and cool.
The next day,
Gracie walked up to Eugene in the hall.
Hey,
Eugene,
There's something I wanted to say,
But I'm scared to tell it all.
Okay,
Here we go.
I guess I just want you to know that I like you.
I like you a lot.
I want to be with you,
Play with you,
And I wanted to know what you thought.
Eugene stared into Gracie's blue eyes.
He was shocked by what he'd heard.
It was all so nice.
Gracie had been the bunny he had a crush on for years.
He was so in love with Gracie that playing with her had become one of his biggest fears.
What if she does not want to play with me,
Too?
And what if she asks me only because she wants to be nice?
I'm afraid that when I'm with her,
She'll find out that I'm not good enough and that I won't suffice.
But now,
He felt comforted by what Gracie had said.
The negative thoughts had started to calm down in his little bunny head.
You know what,
Gracie,
Were the first words coming from Eugene?
I think you're the most beautiful bunny that this forest has ever seen.
I'm scared to play with you because I'm afraid that after time you won't like me anymore.
But I think that's a risk worth taking.
You are a bunny that's worth fighting for.
I want you to know that each time you asked me to play and I said no,
I was trying to protect myself from getting hurt,
Even though I know.
I know you won't hurt me.
I'm just scared that one day we wouldn't be able to play.
It's like I'd rather not play with you at all than have to live fearing for this day.
My mommy taught me to be brave,
Gracie shared.
Love requires courage,
And therefore it is okay for the both of us to be scared.
I cannot tell you for sure that this day will never arrive,
But what I do know is that every single moment I spend with you,
I feel more alive.
I want to follow this feeling and explore where it can take us to.
For as long as the universe allows it,
I want to spend my time with you.
Eugene stepped forward and gave Gracie a big bunny embrace.
You are all that I want.
Right now,
I'm exactly at the right time and place.
Gracie flew into her mother's arms when school had ended.
You will never guess who I befriended.
Or,
I guess we're more than friends,
That is what I feel.
There are butterflies in my tummy,
I can't wait to see him again tomorrow and we'll talk,
We'll play,
We'll laugh,
And we'll feel so much joy.
I really,
Really,
Really like this bunny boy.
Mommy laughed and felt happy for Gracie's reaction.
I love your excitement,
My daughter.
This is what happens when we dare to speak our truth,
Allow ourselves to surrender to life,
And are not afraid to take action.
I hope you like this story that is very much about expressing your feelings.
Letting other people know what you think of them,
Especially when these are positive thoughts.
Everybody loves receiving a compliment,
And even though it might be scared,
It is very much worth it.
I wish you a wonderful night.
Sleep well.
