Little Barnaby Bear woke up feeling warm and fluttery inside. It wasn't the feeling of being hungry for honey, or the wiggle-jiggle feeling of wanting to play. It was a soft, happy warmth that made him want to smile even before he opened his eyes. He stretched his paws high above his head and yawned a tiny bear yawn. He scrambled out of his cozy bed and padded into the kitchen where Mama Bear was humming softly while making breakfast.
"Mama," Barnaby mumbled, rubbing his sleepy eyes, "I feel... I feel a warm, happy flutter inside. What is it?" Mama Bear knelt down and wrapped him in a big, soft hug. "Ah, little one," she said, her voice as warm as sunshine, "that sounds like love." Barnaby snuggled into her fur. "Love? What is love?" Mama Bear held him close. "Love is that special warm feeling, like sunshine in your tummy. But it's also what we do for each other. When I make you breakfast, or tuck you in tight, or give you a big hug, that's showing you love. And when you share your toys, or give me a picture you drew, or just snuggle close, you're showing me love too."
Barnaby thought about this. Love is a feeling, but it's also doing kind things? He decided to go for a little walk outside and see if he could spot love. He wandered past the big oak tree and saw two little squirrels chattering happily. One squirrel found a particularly big, juicy nut and, instead of keeping it all for himself, he nudged it towards the other squirrel, and they shared it, nibbling together side-by-side. "Sharing nuts... is that love?" Barnaby wondered. It looked like a very kind thing to do.
Further along the path, he saw a family of finches perched on a branch. The mama finch was carefully preening the feathers of her littlest chick, making sure it was neat and cozy. The papa finch flew off and brought back a fat, juicy worm, which he gently fed to the baby birds. Taking care of each other, making sure everyone had food and was safe and tidy. Barnaby felt that warm flutter again just watching them. "Taking care... that must be love too," he whispered.
As he rounded a bend, Barnaby heard a small, sad whimpering sound. Peeking through some bushes, he saw a tiny bunny sitting all alone, its nose twitching nervously, looking lost. Barnaby remembered the warm feeling of love and what Mama Bear had said about doing kind things. He walked slowly and gently towards the bunny. "Hello," he said softly, so as not to scare it. "Are you lost?" The bunny nodded, its ears drooping.
"Don't worry," Barnaby said, feeling a wave of empathy for the little creature. "I can help you find your way." He carefully guided the bunny back along the path towards the meadow where he knew the bunny families lived. Soon, they heard happy squeaks, and the lost bunny bounded towards a group of other bunnies who were hopping with relief. Seeing the little bunny reunited with its family made Barnaby's warm fluttery feeling grow big and strong. Helping someone, being kind when they were sad or lost, definitely felt like love.
Feeling happy and full of understanding, Barnaby ambled back towards his cozy den. He rushed inside and found Mama Bear reading a book. "Mama!" he exclaimed, running to her and giving her the biggest hug his little bear arms could manage. "I saw love! I saw squirrels sharing, and finches taking care of their babies, and I helped a lost bunny, and it made the warm flutter feel so big!" Mama Bear hugged him back tight. "That's right, my sweet Barnaby. Love is all around us, and it's in everything kind and caring we do."
Barnaby snuggled into his Mama's lap, feeling the lovely warm flutter fill him up completely. He understood now. Love was feeling happy and safe with his family, love was being kind to others, love was sharing, and love was taking care. With a contented sigh, Barnaby Bear closed his eyes, feeling loved and full of love, ready for sweet dreams.