Little Pip the bunny was in his cozy burrow bed. The moon peeked in, a silver smile in the dark sky. But Pip wasn't sleepy! His paws wanted to pat, pat, pat, and his nose wanted to twitch, twitch, twitch. He wanted to jump and play, even though it was time for sleep.
Mama Bunny came to tuck him in tight. She saw his bright, wide eyes and his wiggling nose. "Oh, little Pip," she said softly. "It looks like your body still has lots of energy. Sometimes, we need to help our bodies get quiet for sleep."
"Let's try a quiet game," Mama Bunny whispered. "It's called getting ready for dreams. Close your eyes gently, sweetie. Just pretend your eyelids are soft little curtains closing for the night."
"Now, let's feel your breath. You are always breathing, even when you don't think about it! Let's feel it now. Take a slow, quiet breath in through your nose, like you are smelling a lovely flower in the meadow." Mama Bunny paused, then continued, "And breathe out slowly through your mouth, like you are gently blowing a tiny feather."
They breathed together, slowly and quietly. "Breathe in... and out... Breathe in... and out..." Mama Bunny's voice was soft and calm. Pip felt his chest rise a little, and fall a little. It felt like a gentle wave.
"Now, let's feel how cozy your bed is," Mama Bunny said. "Feel the soft blanket on your fur. Feel the warm, soft hay beneath you. Your bed is a safe, warm nest just for you."
"Wiggle your toes inside your soft slippers," Mama Bunny said. "Wiggle them, wiggle them! Now, let them be very, very still. Feel how quiet your toes can be when they are still."
"Now, let your shoulders relax down, down, down," she murmured. "Like heavy, sleepy stones sinking into the ground. Just let them be soft and still."
Pip kept breathing his gentle waves. He felt the soft blanket and the warm bed. His toes were still, and his shoulders felt soft. A quiet calm started to grow inside him, like a little warm light.
The wiggles went away. The nose twitches slowed down. His eyes felt heavy behind their soft curtains. He wasn't thinking about playing anymore. He was just breathing, breathing, breathing, quiet and still.
Mama Bunny stroked his head. "That's it, little Pip," she whispered. "Getting quiet for sleep. Your body is resting, getting ready for wonderful dreams."
Pip felt himself sinking deeper into his cozy bed. The gentle breaths felt like rocking. He felt safe, warm, and peaceful. Soon, Little Pip was fast asleep, dreaming soft, quiet dreams. And you can get ready for sleep just like Pip did. Sweet dreams, little one.