Okay, my brave one… you all tucked in? Lights low? Let’s do a couple slow breaths to start… in through your nose… out through your mouth… There. Feels better already.
This story’s about a little bunny named Benny.
Benny was a small bunny with soft white fur, twitchy whiskers, and ears that perked up when he was curious. He loved hopping around the garden all day—chasing dandelions, nibbling clover, playing hide-and-seek with his friends.
But one thing made Benny’s heart go thump-thump a little faster: the big slide at the playground. It was tall and shiny, curving down like a rainbow. Benny watched other bunnies zoom down it, laughing the whole way. He wanted to try… but every time he got close, his paws felt stuck.
One sunny afternoon, Benny stood at the bottom looking up. The ladder seemed so high. His tummy did a flip.
His best friend Miri hopped over. Miri was a brave gray bunny with a spot on her nose. “Want to try it together?” she asked softly.
Benny’s ears drooped a bit. “It looks really tall.”
Miri smiled. “I’ll hold your paw on the ladder. We’ll go slow.”
Benny took a deep breath… in… out. “Okay.”
They climbed together—one step… two steps… paws holding tight. Benny’s heart went thump-thump like a little drum. But Miri’s paw felt warm and steady.
At the top, Benny looked down. Whoa. Far.
He closed his eyes for a second. Took another breath… in… out.
Then—whoosh!—down he went. Fast but gentle. The wind ruffled his ears. He landed in the soft grass with a bounce and a giggle he couldn’t hold in.
“I did it!” Benny laughed. “I really did it!”
Miri hopped down after and gave him a big hug. “You were so brave, Benny.”
That night, back in his cozy burrow bed, Benny remembered the slide. The whoosh. The giggle. The feeling of being a little scared… and doing it anyway.
He lay there under his soft blanket. The room was quiet and dark, just the way nights are.
Benny took a slow breath… in… out.
He thought: “I can be brave.”
One more breath… in… out.
His ears relaxed. His paws got heavy. His whiskers stopped twitching.
The moon peeked through the window, shining a little silver light like a nightlight.
Benny smiled a small, happy smile.
And he slept—deep, proud, peaceful sleep—dreaming of slides and friends and tomorrow’s adventures.
Goodnight, Benny.
Goodnight, my brave bunny. (This one’s perfect for nights when they’re worried about something new—like starting preschool or trying a big kid thing. I pause on the breathing parts and do them together. Helps remind them bravery isn’t about not being scared—it’s about going anyway. Even hits home on those loud Dallas thunderstorm nights when everything feels bigger.)
