Benny the Badger and the Gentle Bedtime Trail
By Bill Conley, America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral of the Story:
A calm night begins with a gentle plan and a loving routine. The world feels
softer when a bedtime rhythm is followed. A cozy room is a place for stories,
not for glowing screens. Quiet moments before sleep prepare both the mind and
the heart. Sweet treats rest early so bodies feel peaceful at night. Comforting
thoughts help worries unwind like little knots. Warm milk and gentle helpers
can lull even busy paws. A bedtime routine protects rest, joy, and tomorrow’s
adventures.
Benny the Badger was a quick little
fellow, energetic, curious, and always busy doing something. He lived in a snug
woodland burrow with his Mama Badger and Papa Badger, who loved him deeply.
Benny had many friends on the meadow trail, and though he was brave and clever,
night after night, Benny struggled to fall asleep.
Some nights, his mind raced with
ideas. Other nights, he felt wiggly like he still had zoomies left in his paws.
On stormy evenings, the rumbling clouds felt loud and scary, and he would
burrow under his blanket with wide, blinking eyes. Mama Badger noticed this and
said softly one night, “Benny, sleep is your superpower. It gives you strength
for your dig, your schoolwork, your friendships, and your play. We just need to
prepare for it together with care.”
Every evening, precisely one hour
before bedtime, Mama and Papa began The Gentle Bedtime Trail Routine.
First, the routine started with
tidying the den. Blankets were smoothed, books were stacked, toys were tucked
neatly in their baskets, and Benny knew that when everything was gently put in
place, the night felt organized and the morning promised calm.
Next came bath time. The warm water
kissed his fur, and Benny always loved bubbles. Still, Mama Badger reminded him
to splash only a little, giggling while soap tickled his tummy. When bath time
ended, Papa Badger wrapped him in a giant soft towel, rubbed his head
affectionately, and said, “You smell like a sleepy cloud now. That is perfect.”
After drying off, Benny waddled to
the reading nook just beside the burrow’s lantern. The nook had a small
cushioned log seat, a book stack, and nothing else. There was no TV, no
internet moss vine, no phones made of tin, no screens glowing like fireflies,
and no buzzing gadgets of any kind. Only the soft touch of a page turning
was allowed. This was Benny’s favorite part because he learned something
magical: stories helped his mind settle down, slow down, curl up, and
finally relax.
Mama would let him choose one
bedtime story a night. Some evenings, he picked adventure tales, like The Big
Meadow Rescue or The Curious Carrot Burglar. Other nights he enjoyed
calmer tales, like The Quiet Cricket’s Evening Song. With each story,
his eyelids grew heavier, and his breathing softened like a gentle breeze over
the grass.
After reading, Benny and his parents
had a tiny talk. Mama Badger always asked, “What was your favorite part of
the day, Benny?” Sometimes he said it was learning long division tunnels at
school. Sometimes it was digging a new zig-zag burrow hallway. Some evenings he
said it was sharing turn-taking games with his pals on the hill. The
conversation always ended early, not late, and Papa Badger ended it with,
“Tomorrow will be full of new chances to be great. Let’s give our bodies and
minds rest, so we can enjoy it fully.”
Then came “Nighttime Comfort Thought
Time.” Mama said quietly, “Benny, when you close your eyes, let’s think about
gentle things. Think about the moon watching over the meadow like a silver
guardian. Think about the stars twinkling in patient patterns. Think about the
river humming sleepy music against the stones. Think about your bed hugging
your back like a cozy nest. Think about how loved you are, and how tomorrow
will greet you kindly.”
To help Benny even more, Mama
sometimes brought a small cup of melatonin drops, only when needed, and always
calmly explained that helpers are wonderful when not overused. Papa
occasionally warmed a cup of milk with one drop of honey, stirring it slowly
like a secret night recipe. Stormy nights were easier to handle with warm
snuggles and comforting whispers.
Benny also learned the timing of
sweets. Mama Badger made a rule: “Sugar rests early.” If Benny wanted
berries dipped in sweet syrup, they had to be eaten before 3:30 PM.
Benny once asked why. Papa answered, “Sugar wakes your body like a drumbeat
parade. That is wonderful at playtime, but the evening is for quieter rhythms.
We want your body to cool down, slow down, relax, and prepare for sleep. That
means no sugary ice cream tunnels or caramel snacks at night.” Benny nodded and
trusted them.
Still, one afternoon, Benny got
invited by his pal, Cindy the Chipmunk, to share an extra giant evening
moss-berry shake. He nearly said yes but stopped, remembering his bedtime
rhythm. He said gently, with confidence, “Cindy, that sounds delicious, but
sweets rest early for me now. Can we have it at 3 PM next time?” Cindy smiled
and agreed, respecting his rule.
Mama Badger whispered proudly behind
him (quietly to herself), “He is learning. That is beautiful.”
Every night, Benny practiced the
bedtime routine, and with repetition came comfort. It was not punishment. It
was protection. His thoughts slowed like settling snow. His fur relaxed like a
cozy cloud. His paws felt warm and loved. His mind whispered slower and quieter
stories to itself, instead of racing adventures.
One night, after a full week of
practice, Benny said gently, “Mama, I think bedtime is my favorite adventure
now.” Mama Badger nearly cried but held it soft and steady. “Yes, Benny.
Bedtime is a gentle trail that leads to rest. Rest leads to strength. Strength
leads to joy. And joy leads to beautiful days.”
The woodland lantern glowed quietly
(early, not late). The book stack rested neatly. The river hummed a consistent
tune. The stars blinked proud patterns. And Benny? He fell asleep without
blinking at the storm, without racing thoughts, and without the need for
screens. He slept.
Very calmly.
Very peacefully.
And very proudly.
Moral of the Story Poem:
Calm nights begin with gentle steps
that children know. Routine trails guide sleepy heads like rivers softly flow. Cozy
rooms hold pages, not lights that buzz or gleam. Bodies rest when sugar naps
early, not in bedtime’s dream. Quiet reading settles busy thoughts, both small
and wide. Warm milk whispers peace, and worry slides aside. Tomorrow smiles
brighter when bedtime is planned with care. Rest is a gift, gently protected,
always shared with love.
Discussion Questions for Parents and
Caregivers:
1.
Could a consistent routine begin
protecting your child’s rest better than allowing screens at night?
2.
Have you ever noticed how timing
sweets earlier helps the body unwind and prepare for sleep calmly?
3.
Do you believe children feel less
anxious at bedtime when the evening becomes predictable, cozy, and device-free?
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