Lily loved bedtime. Not just because it meant snuggling into her cozy bed, but because it was a special time to connect with her dad.
Every night, before the soft glow of the nightlight filled her room, her dad would read her a story. Sometimes it was a classic fairy tale, other times a silly adventure filled with talking animals.
Tonight, however, the story was different. Tonight, it was a story about the night itself. Her dad began:
"The night is a kind of magic, Lily. It's a time when the world slows down, and everything gets a chance to rest. The trees, the flowers, even the stars in the sky get a chance to take a deep breath."
"But what do the little bugs do?" Lily asked, her eyes wide.
"Well, Lily," her dad replied with a gentle smile, "the little fireflies light up the night with their twinkling lights. They're a secret language the night speaks."
He paused, letting the words sink in. "The crickets chirp their songs, and the owls hoot their stories to the moon. Each one has a part to play in the night's quiet symphony. They are kind to each other in their little ways."
"Sometimes," he continued, "the night is full of quiet whispers, soft breezes rustling through the leaves. And it's during those moments of peace that we find special moments to appreciate."
Lily thought about the fireflies her dad had told her about. She thought of her own little firefly friend, a tiny glow-worm that zipped and zoomed around her garden. She felt warmth as she imagined how much the glow-worm appreciated the cozy night air.
Lily's dad pointed out how the glow-worm's small light helped Lily appreciate the beauty of the night. "That's kindness," he said quietly. "Just like the firefly, you have your own way of helping the world around you, in the small ways."
"I help by being kind to my stuffed animals and my friends," Lily said softly.
"That's wonderful, Lily," her dad replied. "Being kind is a special way to show your empathy and gratitude for the night around you and the people you love."
As Lily snuggled deeper into her bed, the glow-worm seemed to whisper to her through the night air. Her heart was full of gratitude for her special night. She felt good about the kindness that had filled her heart during her story with her dad.
Lily loved the special moments of kindness and connection. She knew how important it was to take a moment, appreciate the quiet symphony of the night, and show kindness. And she knew her dad was doing this for her too.
She closed her eyes, and a warm feeling filled her heart. She knew she would carry this feeling of empathy and gratitude into her dreams and the new day ahead.
And as Lily drifted off to sleep, the fireflies and crickets whispered their thanks, for she had shown them kindness and empathy. The night was filled with a quiet symphony of gratitude and warmth.