Moon Bear Sleep Story - Learning To Love The Dark

Once upon a time,

In a Tibetan mountain valley,

There was a little village nestled in the crook of the arm of a sparkling river,

Quite close to a lush forest.

Here lived a young girl called Chime,

Whose name means everlasting.

When the sun set each evening,

The stars would shine brightly in the vast sky overhead.

But,

As the night fell,

Some of the village children felt a little scared.

They hid under their blankets,

Afraid of the shadows.

One night,

A gentle breeze whispered outside,

And Chime decided she didn't want to be afraid of the dark anymore.

So,

With a heart full of courage,

She turned off her nightlight and opened her window.

She peered out into the dark night sky.

After a few uncertain minutes,

A soft shimmering light appeared in the velvet night.

To Chime's surprise and wonder,

A moon bear began to appear.

It was the markings on it that told her what it was.

Like all moon bears,

It had a creamy white crescent moon shape on its chest,

Which glowed in the moonlight.

It also had thick black fur,

Which was extra long and fluffy around its neck.

It ruffled slightly,

Like corn in a field,

And it gave it quite a cuddly appearance.

The moon bear's large ears also twitched playfully.

Chime had heard about moon bears,

Occasionally going after the goats,

But none had ambled down the valley and into her village before,

So she had never actually seen one.

Hello,

Chime,

The moon bear called up to her kindly.

I have been sent by the moon to show you that there's nothing to fear in the dark.

Chime blinked in astonishment.

Not just a moon bear,

But a talking one.

She squeezed her eyes shut tight to make sure she wasn't really asleep and dreaming,

But when she opened them,

She was still at her window,

With the moon bear smiling gently below.

Yes,

I'm real,

Said the moon bear.

Your willingness to explore the darkness has sent me to you.

The moon watches over all children from her vantage point in the sky,

And I am her special emissary here on Earth.

The night is simply the world's rest time.

It is filled with mysteries and magic and life.

Would you like to come with me and explore it together?

Excited and a little nervous at the same time,

Chime crept downstairs.

She gave their big furry mastiff dog,

She-wa,

A quick reassuring pat.

He always barked fiercely when he sensed danger,

But rarely he was a big softy at heart,

Which is why the family had given him the name She-wa,

Which means peaceful.

Chime put on her hat,

Her coat and strong boots and joined the moon bear outside.

Moon bear suggested they pause for a few moments and just be with the darkness.

This would help Chime's eyes and heart to adjust.

With moon bear by her side,

Chime let the darkness settle around her.

Let the darkness fill your eyes,

Said moon bear.

And now the inside of your head and body.

Chime had never done this before.

She even felt herself dissolve into the darkness a little,

And the darkness became part of her body's shape.

Most surprising of all was that her fear dissolved too.

Moon bear looked at her kindly Now you are no longer afraid,

She said,

And you can enjoy the atmosphere of the night.

Feel it,

Listen to it and smell it.

Sense the weather and where we are in the season and what creatures are nearby.

And think about what light is always present.

It's very rare that there is none.

There's always some light from the moon in one of her phases,

Not just when she's full,

But also what is called a quarter moon,

Which is actually half a moon or a crescent like the one on my chest.

Let the darkness become a friend to you.

Chime spread her arms wide.

The shadows around them began to dance.

Sounds she had never heard before filled her ears.

As Chime listened,

She imagined the badgers digging their sets.

She pictured foxes with keen senses sniffing the air for a tasty treat.

She saw a musk deer moving silently through the undergrowth with her gentle,

Watchful eyes.

None of them are dangerous around here,

Said Moon bear.

What about the migoy,

Said Chime?

Aren't you afraid of them?

Moon bear laughed.

No,

She said.

I have never seen a yeti in my long life.

Neither has anyone else I know.

It felt so good to Chime to be outside in the cold night air when normally she would be fast asleep in her bed.

She listened carefully to the soothing rustling sounds,

Feeling a sense of peace wash over her.

Her eyes sparkled.

Her imagination felt sparked into life.

Shall we walk,

Said Moon bear.

You can trust me to keep you safe.

As they strolled through the night,

Chime noticed Moon bear's graceful movement.

She moved like a skilled climber as she navigated the trees.

We learned in school that moon bears are excellent climbers,

Said Chime,

And they forage for food in trees.

And is it true that you sometimes break branches up there to make feeding platforms like a treehouse and nests,

Asked Chime?

Yes,

We do,

Replied Moon bear with a chuckle.

We love to climb high into the forest.

There we find the tastiest plants and berries.

And yes,

I sleep up in the trees sometimes.

Trees give us a lot of what we need.

What do you like to eat best,

Moon bear?

Asked Chime curiously.

Oh,

I'm especially fond of honey and beehives,

Said Moon bear.

But like you,

My diet changes depending on the season and what is available.

In the spring,

I like succulent plants and little new leaves.

And in the autumn,

High-fat foods like nuts and acorns to build myself up for hibernation.

As they explored further,

They reached a beautiful grove.

Moonlight filtered through the leaves,

Creating shimmering patterns on the ground.

In the centre of the grove was a quiet pond.

The moon's reflection rested on it serenely,

Like silver silk on its surface.

On the forest floor,

Phosphorescent fungi lit up logs like miniature lanterns,

And fireflies blinked on and off like tiny fallen stars,

Creating a magical twinkling carpet.

Chime giggled as one landed on her shoulder,

Its light pulsing softly.

This is the night pond,

Said Moon bear.

It's a very special place where dreams are born.

You can whisper your hopes to the water,

And it will carry them into the night.

Chime and Moon bear found a soft mossy spot,

Perfect for lying down and cloud gazing.

Chime closed her eyes to help her decide what to wish for.

Feeling the magic of the moment,

She wished that the darkness and Moon bear would always be her friends.

As the shimmering waters of the night pond sparkled around them,

Moon bear sensed that Chime would like to stay out in the darkness for a while longer.

Moon bear motioned for Chime to follow her.

They walked to a clearing where the aroma of sweet berries filled the air.

This is my favorite berry patch,

Said Moon bear.

You can taste the juiciest moonberries here,

And they only bloom under the light of a full moon,

She added with a wink.

Chime picked a few moonberries and popped one into her mouth.

The flavor burst like a perfect blend of sour and sweetness.

These are amazing,

She exclaimed.

They taste just like goji berries,

Only much better.

Yes,

Said Moon bear with a chuckle.

Each berry holds a little bit of the magic.

Let's pick some more for you to take home for your breakfast.

As the night wore on,

Chime glanced at the horizon.

The colors of dawn were beginning to streak the sky.

I don't want this adventure to end,

She said.

Don't worry,

Said Moon bear.

I'll be watching over you,

And so will the moon,

To make sure you feel safe.

Every evening brings a chance for more adventures.

All you have to do is close your eyes,

And I'll be there with you in your dreams.

With her pockets full of goji moonberries and a heart full of happiness,

Moon bear guided Chime home.

They passed the night pond one last time,

But Chime to say goodbye to it.

She thanked the water for the wish it would carry away for her.

Moon bear gave her a gentle nudge when she started to look a little wistful.

Never forget that the magic of night is always with you.

After a big,

Warm hug goodbye,

Moon bear ambled back into the forest.

Chime tiptoed back into her house,

Past the sleeping she were,

And into her warm bed.

She felt braver than she had ever felt before.

She snuggled under her blankets and drifted off to sleep.

She dreamed of moonlit adventures,

Dancing shadows,

Fireflies,

And her wonderful new friend.

Now,

Young dreamer,

If you are still awake,

It is time to snuggle down.

Let's take a journey of relaxation.

Find your comfortable sleep position,

Perhaps lying softly on your back or on your tummy,

And rest your arms by your sides.

Close your eyes gently and feel your eyelids nice and heavy over them.

How about making a wish of your own?

Something you'd like to make come true.

What would your wish be?

And now,

Become aware of your breath.

With every breath in,

Feel your heart with calmness.

With every breath out,

Let go of any worries or fears.

With every breath in,

Feel yourself relax a little more.

With every breath out,

Let your body become heavy and warm.

Allow the warm and heavy feeling to flow into your tummy,

Into your chest,

And into your face.

Let your shoulders drop down comfortably,

Away from your ears.

Let your arms feel relaxed,

Heavy and warm by your sides.

Let your neck be soft and your head rest gently on your comfy pillow.

Feel your fingers becoming heavy and warm,

Like little clouds resting at the end of them.

Let your toes become heavy and warm,

And your feet heavy and calm.

Move the comfortable feeling up into your ankles,

Your legs,

And your knees,

Heavy and warm.

Your whole body calm and relaxed,

Just like chime resting under the stars beside the night pond with moon bear.

Safe and peaceful.

Let your mind drift away into your own magical dreams.

Imagine the darkness is a soft velvety cloak,

Tucking you in and keeping you warm.

Know that the darkness is filled with magic,

Waiting to share its secrets with you.

Sweet dreams,

Dear moon bear friend.

Good night.