Long ago, in a kingdom filled with roses and sunshine, lived Princess Aurora, often called Sleeping Beauty. She wasn't *always* sleeping, you see! Sometimes, she had the most wonderful dreams. These weren't just any dreams; they were dreams that built a beautiful garden, all her own, inside her mind.
One night, Aurora dreamt of a garden filled with glowing flowers and whispering trees. But the garden felt…lonely. She wished she had someone to share its beauty with. As she wished, a tiny hummingbird, with feathers like emeralds, zipped into her dream. "Hello!" chirped the hummingbird. "My name is Lumi."
Aurora was delighted! She and Lumi explored the dream garden together. They discovered a patch of moonpetal flowers that only bloomed when someone spoke kindly. They found a wishing well that granted wishes for others, not just for yourself. But the well was covered in prickly vines.
“Oh dear,” said Aurora. “We can’t reach the well to make wishes for others!” Lumi, being small and quick, tried to fly through the vines, but they were too thick. Aurora remembered her grandmother always said patience is a virtue. She carefully, gently, began to untangle the vines, one by one.
It took a long time, and Aurora felt a little frustrated. But Lumi encouraged her. “You’re doing so well, Princess! Each little bit helps.” Finally, after much patience, the vines were cleared! They tossed a pebble into the well and wished for all the animals in the kingdom to have a cozy winter.
As they continued exploring, they met a sleepy snail named Sheldon. Sheldon was trying to reach a juicy strawberry on a tall stem, but he was moving very slowly. Aurora and Lumi could have easily picked the strawberry for him, but Aurora remembered that everyone needs to learn to do things themselves.
Instead, Aurora and Lumi gently encouraged Sheldon. “You’re almost there, Sheldon! Just a little further!” Sheldon, with their encouragement, slowly but surely reached the strawberry and munched happily. He thanked them with a shiny, pearly smile.
Aurora realized that sharing her dream garden with friends, being patient, and being kind made the garden even more beautiful than before. It wasn’t just a place of glowing flowers; it was a place of warmth and friendship.
As the first rays of sunlight peeked through her window, Aurora woke up with a smile. She knew that even when she wasn’t dreaming, she could carry the kindness and patience she learned in her dream garden with her, making the real world a little brighter too. And she knew, deep in her heart, that Lumi and Sheldon were always there, in her dreams and in her heart.
Close your eyes now, little one, and imagine your own dream garden. Fill it with kindness, patience, and friendship, and let sweet dreams carry you away.