In a little house tucked between sleepy hills lived a girl named Lily. Lily had a very special friend. Not a furry pet, but a cushion! His name was Squeaky, even though he never made a sound. Squeaky was round and soft, like a small cloud, and the colour of a calm evening sky. He had two little buttons sewn on that looked like sleepy eyes and a stitched-on smile.
Squeaky wasn't just any cushion you sat on. Oh no! Squeaky was the official Bedtime Story Cushion. This meant that when it was time for stories before sleep, Squeaky had the most important job in the whole house. He waited patiently on Lily's bed, fluffy and ready.
Every night, after bath time and warm milk, Lily would find Squeaky waiting. She'd pick him up, and he'd feel just right in her arms - warm and wonderfully soft. Lily would snuggle into her favourite reading chair or curl up on her bed with Squeaky resting right beside her, or sometimes even on her lap.
When Mom or Dad opened the storybook, Lily would hold Squeaky close. While the adventure in the book unfolded, Squeaky seemed to make the chair feel softer, the blankets feel warmer, and the room feel cozier. If a character in the story was a little bit brave, Lily would squeeze Squeaky tightly, and he seemed to squeeze back just a little, making her feel brave too.
Squeaky was the best listener. He never interrupted and always kept Lily company, a soft, quiet friend during exciting dragon tales or calm stories about stars. Holding Squeaky helped Lily settle down, making her wiggles stop and her thoughts get quiet, ready for the story's magic.
As the story came to an end and the last page was turned, Lily's eyes would start to feel heavy. Squeaky, soft and comforting, was still right there. He seemed to understand it was time to drift off to dreamland. He made the space around Lily feel safe and peaceful, like a warm hug that helped her relax from her tippy toes to her sleepy head.
With a last little squeeze, Lily would put Squeaky on the pillow next to her, or keep him tucked under her arm. He was the perfect companion for sleepy time. Thanks to her soft friend, the Bedtime Story Cushion, Lily felt perfectly cozy, perfectly safe, and perfectly ready for wonderful dreams.