By Bill Conley
Moral
of the Story:
Going to bed on time is one of the
smartest and healthiest habits you can build. When you listen to your parents,
turn off electronics, and follow a calming bedtime routine, your body and mind
get the rest they need to grow, learn, and feel great. A good night’s sleep
helps you wake up refreshed, happy, and ready for a new day. Taking
responsibility for brushing your teeth and sticking to bedtime shows you are
growing up and learning to take care of yourself.
In the peaceful pond of Willow Glen
lived a slow but clever turtle named Tilly.
Tilly loved splashing in the water,
racing across lily pads, and reading books with her mom.
But when bedtime came around, Tilly
had one problem:
She never wanted to go to bed.
“Tilly,” her mom would call, “time
to brush your teeth and get ready for bed!”
“Five more minutes!” Tilly would
beg, her eyes glued to her little turtle tablet.
Her dad would chime in, “Tilly, we
said no electronics before bed.”
“But I’m almost done watching my
show!” she pouted.
Her parents would sigh, reminding
her that screens and late nights weren’t good for a growing turtle. But Tilly
didn’t think it was a big deal—until one day, it was.
That morning, Tilly woke up grumpy.
Her eyes were puffy.
Her shell felt heavy.
And she forgot her spelling words.
At school, she yawned so much that
her teacher finally asked, “Tilly, did you get enough sleep last night?”
“Not really,” she mumbled.
When she got home, her mom gently sat
beside her. “Sweetheart, your body and brain need rest—just like the pond needs
quiet after the sun goes down.”
“But I don’t feel tired when
you say it’s bedtime,” Tilly argued.
“That’s why we have routines,” her
dad said. “So even if you don’t feel tired yet, your body learns when it’s time
to rest.”
That night, her parents started
something new.
First, they had dinner together with
no screens at the table.
Then Tilly brushed her teeth—top and
bottom, nice and slow—until they sparkled.
Next, her mom read her a story while
she snuggled into her cozy blanket.
Then, Mom handed her a small book.
“Would you like to try reading one page tonight?”
Tilly nodded. She sounded out the
words slowly, and when she reached the end of the page, she smiled.
“I did it,” she whispered.
“Now close your eyes and let your
mind dream,” Mom said softly, kissing her forehead.
Tilly fell asleep within minutes.
The next morning, she woke up before
her parents, feeling happy and full of energy.
At school, she raised her hand more.
She remembered her spelling.
And during recess, she outran every turtle and frog in sight.
That night, when her mom said, “Time
for bed,” Tilly didn’t argue.
She brushed her teeth without a
reminder.
She turned off her tablet and tucked
it away in a drawer.
“No screens in my room anymore,” she said proudly.
Mom smiled. “You’re learning to care
for yourself. That’s what responsible turtles do.”
After storytime, Tilly read two
pages on her own and drifted off into sweet dreams.
From that day on, Tilly became known
as the Best Sleeper in Willow Glen.
She went to bed early, woke up
early, and took on every new day with a smile.
Her friends asked, “How are you
always so cheerful?”
Tilly would say, “I go to bed on
time, brush my teeth, and stay away from screens at night. It makes all the
difference!”
Moral
Poem to End the Story:
Brush your teeth and turn screens
off,
Climb in bed, no need to scoff.
A rested mind is strong and bright—
So snuggle in and sleep all night!
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